Showing posts with label military. Show all posts
Showing posts with label military. Show all posts

2011-08-12

Hypersonic Falcon Launched and Lost

Falcon HTV-2 is lost during bid to become fastest ever plane | World news | The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/11/fastest-ever-plane-lost-during-test-flight
  • US military officials have lost contact with the fastest plane ever built during a hypersonic test flight over the Pacific on Thursday.
    The Falcon HTV-2 was launched aboard a rocket from Vandenberg air force base in California, on what at first appeared to be a flawless mission.
    But after separating from the rocket at the edge of space and beginning its return to Earth, the aircraft went silent during the gliding stage of the test flight, when it was due to perform a series of manoeuvres as it hurtled through the atmosphere.
DARPA's Falcon Hypersonic Technology Vehicle 2 (HTV 2) Test Flight Profile - YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5QHDV6S3jc&feature=player_embedded

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
http://www.darpa.mil/Our_Work/TTO/Programs/Falcon_HTV-2.aspx

  • Falcon HTV-2 is an unmanned, rocket-launched, maneuverable aircraft that glides through the Earth’s atmosphere at incredibly fast speeds—Mach 20 (approximately 13,000 miles per hour).  At HTV-2 speeds, flight time between New York City and Los Angeles would be less than 12 minutes. The HTV-2 vehicle is a “data truck” with numerous sensors that collect data in an uncertain operating envelope.
     Mastery of three key technical challenges stands between the DoD and long-duration hypersonic flight: Aerodynamics; Aerothermal effects; and critical guidance, navigation and control.
     HTV-2 flew its maiden flight on 22 Apr 2010, collecting nine minutes of unique flight data, including 139 seconds of Mach 22 to Mach 17 aerodynamic data.
  • The second and final planned flight test is scheduled for August 2011. First flight lessons learned, high-speed wind tunnel testing and computer simulations were used to improve aerodynamic models and to optimize the vehicle design and trajectory for flight two.

    The goal of the second flight is to validate current assumptions and increase technical understanding of the hypersonic flight regime. More than 20 test assets will collect continuous flight data to achieve this goal.

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
http://www.darpa.mil/NewsEvents/Releases/2011/2011/08/11DARPA_HYPERSONIC_VEHICLE_ADVANCES_TECHNICAL_KNOWLEDGE.aspx

  • The second test flight began with launch at 0745 Pacific Time.  The Minotaur IV vehicle successfully inserted the aircraft into the desired trajectory.  Separation of the vehicle was confirmed by rocket cam and the aircraft transitioned to Mach 20 aerodynamic flight.  This transition represents a critical knowledge and control point in maneuvering atmospheric hypersonic flight.  More than nine minutes of data was collected before an anomaly caused loss of signal.  Initial indications are that the aircraft impacted the Pacific Ocean along the planned flight path.
  • “Prior to flight, the technical team completed the most sophisticated simulations and extensive wind tunnel tests possible.  But these ground tests have not yielded the necessary knowledge.  Filling the gaps in our understanding of hypersonic flight in this demanding regime requires that we be willing to fly,” said DARPA Director Regina Dugan. “In the April 2010 test, we obtained four times the amount of data previously available at these speeds.  Today more than 20 air, land, sea and space data collection systems were operational.  We’ll learn. We’ll try again. That’s what it takes.”

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2011-02-19

AeroVironment Hummingbird Flapping-Wing Nano-UAV

Nano Hummingbird, drone, spy plane, Pentagon: Pentagon, AeroVironment to unveil Nano Hummingbird, an experimental mini-spy plane - latimes.com

latimes.com
A pocket-size drone dubbed the Nano Hummingbird for the way it flaps its tiny robotic wings has been developed for the Pentagon by a Monrovia company as a mini-spy plane capable of maneuvering on the battlefield and in urban areas.

The battery-powered drone was built by AeroVironment Inc. for the Pentagon's research arm as part of a series of experiments in nanotechnology. The little flying machine is built to look like a bird for potential use in spy missions.


AeroVironment, Inc.: News & Events: AeroVironment Develops World’s First Fully Operational Life-Size Hummingbird-Like Unmanned Aircraft for DARPA

AeroVironment, Inc. is a leader in Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Electric Vehicle Charging Systems, and Power Cycling & Test Systems.

• Two-wing, Flapping Aircraft Hovers and Flies in Any Direction
• Total Weight of Two-thirds of an Ounce Includes Batteries and Video Camera

WASHINGTON, at AAAS Conference, Feb. 17, 2011 – AeroVironment, Inc. (AV)(NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced it has accomplished a technical milestone never before achieved -- controlled precision hovering and fast-forward flight of a two-wing, flapping wing aircraft that carries its own energy source, and uses only the flapping wings for propulsion and control.




AV is developing the Nano Air Vehicle (NAV) under a DARPA sponsored research contract to develop a new class of air vehicle systems capable of indoor and outdoor operation. Employing biological mimicry at an extremely small scale, this unconventional aircraft could someday provide new reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities in urban environments.



The hand-made final concept demonstrator Nano Hummingbird has a wingspan of 16 cm (6.5 in) and weighs just 19 g (2/3 oz), which is less than the weight of a AA battery. Into this tiny and lightweight package the AeroVironment UAS team has managed to cram all the systems required for flight, including batteries, motors, communications systems and even a video camera.

The aircraft can climb and descend vertically, fly sideways left and right, fly forward and backward, as well as rotating clockwise and counter-clockwise – all under remote control and while carrying a video camera payload. It is even capable of doing a 360-degree loop.




The Nano Hummingbird met all, and exceeded many, of the Phase II technical milestones set out by DARPA:

  • Demonstrate precision hover flight.
  • Demonstrate hover stability in a wind gust flight which required the aircraft to hover and tolerate a two-meter per second (five miles per hour) wind gust from the side, without drifting downwind more than one meter.
  • Demonstrate a continuous hover endurance of eight minutes with no external power source.
  • Fly and demonstrate controlled, transition flight from hover to 11 miles per hour fast forward flight and back to hover flight.
  • Demonstrate flying from outdoors to indoors, and back outdoors through a normal-size doorway.
  • Demonstrate flying indoors 'heads-down' where the pilot operates the aircraft only looking at the live video image stream from the aircraft, without looking at or hearing the aircraft directly.
  • Fly the aircraft in hover and fast forward flight with bird-shaped body and bird-shaped wings.

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2011-01-17

BAE Systems Invisible Tanks

Active Camouflage System Uses E-Ink to Make Tanks Invisible on the Battlefield | Popular Science



Tank camouflage has come a long way since the good old days of painting them green and slapping a white star on the side. British defense tech firm BAE Systems is developing an active “e-camouflage” system that will employ a form of electronic ink to project imagery of a vehicles surrounding terrain, rendering the vehicle somewhat invisible to potential attackers.

Invisible tanks could be on battlefield within five years - Telegraph

Armoured vehicles will use a new technology known as "e-camouflage" which deploys a form "electronic ink" to render a vehicle "invisible".
Highly sophisticated electronic sensors attached to the tank's hull will project images of the surrounding environment back onto the outside of the vehicle enabling it to merge into the landscape and evade attack.
[...]
The concept was developed as part of the Future Protected Vehicle programme, which scientists believe, will transform the way in which future conflicts will be fought.

The programme is based around seven different military vehicles, both manned and unmanned, which will be equipped with a wide variety of lethal and none lethal weapons.

BAE Systems

News Release

Armoured Vehicle Study Turns Sci-fi to Sci-fact

16 Dec 2010 | Ref. 297/2010
FARNBOROUGH, UK - A vehicle which can "sweat" to improve stealth was among hundreds of ideas presented to the UK Ministry of Defence from a BAE Systems study designed to show them the future.

The Future Protected Vehicle programme aims to highlight both short and long-term technologies and concepts which can be used to boost the effectiveness of lightweight armoured vehicles.
[...]
Ideas identified for exploitation include:
  • Sweating vehicle could use water from a diesel or fuel cell propulsion system to reduce a vehicle's thermal signature by "sweating" it out through pores in the vehicle skin. That same water could also be reclaimed to enable soldiers to stay in the field for longer.
  • eCamouflage will allow a vehicle to match its camouflage to its surroundings by using electronic ink - rather like a squid.

    [...]

Sweating stealth vehicle among BAE Systems future battlefield concepts

BAE Systems has presented the fruits of its Future Protected Vehicle program (FPV) to the U.K. Ministry of Defence

Image Gallery (7 images)


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2010-12-13

Electromagnetic Railgun

Electromagnetic Railgun | Popular Science



Picture this: A massive destroyer receives the location coordinates of an enemy headquarters more than 200 miles away. Instead of launching a million-dollar Tomahawk cruise missile, it points a gun barrel in the direction of the target, diverts electric power from the ship’s engine to the gun turret, and launches a 3-foot-long, 40-pound projectile up a set of superconducting rails. The projectile leaves the barrel at hypersonic velocity—Mach 7-plus—exits the Earth’s atmosphere, re-enters under satellite guidance, and lands on the building less than six minutes later; its incredible velocity vaporizes the target with kinetic energy alone.



Railgun - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A railgun is an entirely electrical gun that accelerates a conductive projectile along a pair of metal rails using the same principles as the homopolar motor. Railguns use two sliding or rolling contacts[1] that permit a large electric current to pass through the projectile. This current interacts with the strong magnetic fields generated by the rails and this accelerates the projectile.

[...]

Railguns are being researched as weapons with projectiles that do not contain explosives, but are given extremely high velocities: 3,500 m/s (11,500 ft/s, approximately Mach 10 at sea level) or more (for comparison, the M16 rifle has a muzzle speed of 930 m/s, or 3,050 ft/s), which would make their kinetic energy equal or superior to the energy yield of an explosive-filled shell of greater mass. 





The Office of Naval Research (ONR) achieved a world record Dec. 10 when it successfully conducted a 33-megajoule shot of the Electromagnetic Railgun at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Nevin Carr offered these remarks:


"The 33-megajoule shot means the Navy can fire projectiles at least 110 nautical miles, placing Sailors and Marines at a safe standoff distance and out of harm’s way," Carr said. "The high velocities achievable are tactically relevant for air and missile defense. This demonstration moves us one day closer to getting this advanced capability to sea.”



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2010-10-31

CSAR DiscRotor -- DARPA/Boeing Retractable-Blade Helicopter

Boeing Develops Helicopter-Airplane Hybrid for DARPA



As part of a DARPA initiative, Boeing is developing a search-and-rescue aircraft that combines a helicopter's hovering capabilities with an airplane's long flight range. According to Aviation Week, Boeing will test a 20-percent scale model of the disc-rotor aircraft, called the CSAR DiscRotor, in a wind tunnel sometime next year.


The aircraft takes off vertically like a helicopter, with telescoping rotor blades extended, then converts to fixed-wing forward flight by retrating the blades into the disc, which is then stopped. The aircraft the flies on its swept wing and dual ducted propellers.



DARPA - Tactical Technology Office (TTO)



The goal of the DiscRotor Compound Helicopter program is to design and demonstrate the enabling technologies required to develop a new type of compound helicopter capable of high-efficiency hover, high-speed flight, and seamless transition between these flight states.
[...]
An aircraft capable of long range high speed (300-400 kts) and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)/hover will satisfy an ongoing military interest, bridging the gap in helicopter escort and insertion missions by providing survivability, mobility, and responsiveness for troop and cargo insertion.


High-Speed VTOL Goes for a Spin


Developing a mechanism that will reliability and repeatably retract and extend the blades under flight loads (including centripetal forces) is the central technical challenge of the DiscRotor program,


The DiscRotor has an integrated propulsion system using two turboshaft engines fitted with fans so they can also generate forward thrust. Shaft power goes to the main gearbox to power the rotor and a pair of wing-mounted, cross-shafted ducted propellers that provide the majority of the thrust in fixed-wing mode.




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2010-09-29

Raytheon XOS 2 Suit -- The Real Iron Man 2

Real-life Iron Man suit is better than predecessor

Second-generation exoskeleton robotic suit developed for the military unveiled



A new second-generation exoskeleton robotic suit developed for the military – and deemed the closest thing to a real-life Iron Man costume – was unveiled on Monday during a demonstration with Paramount Home Entertainment. 

The new robotic suit called Exoskeleton (XOS 2) – released by Raytheon Company – is lighter, faster and stronger than its predecessor, yet it uses 50 percent less power. Its enhanced design also means that it is more resistant to the environment.




Raytheon

Raytheon Company: Raytheon Unveils 2nd Generation Exoskeleton Robotic Suit

The wearable robotics suit is being designed to help with the many logistics challenges faced by the military both in and out of theater. Repetitive heavy lifting can lead to injuries, orthopedic injuries in particular. The XOS 2 does the lifting for its operator, reducing both strain and exertion. It also does the work faster. One operator in an exoskeleton suit can do the work of two to three soldiers. Deploying exoskeletons would allow military personnel to be reassigned to more strategic tasks. The suit is built from a combination of structures, sensors, actuators and controllers, and it is powered by high pressure hydraulics.



Observations: Exoskeleton defines a new class of warrior [Video]


[...]
The 95-kilogram XOS 2 is about 40 percent stronger than its 88-kilogram predecessor—the XOS-1 could lift about 16 kilograms with each arm, XOS-2 can lift about 23 kilograms.
[...]
Reduced power consumption is key to making the exoskeleton practical to the military. The system is powered by an internal combustion engine, and its electrical systems are run by a wire that tethers the XOS 2 to a power source. Raytheon decided not to use batteries because the company's engineers didn't trust the safety of Lithium-ion batteries in close proximity to the person wearing the exoskeleton.

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2010-09-14

DTV Shredder -- A Segway Tank

BPG Werks unveils Shredder will beat up your Segway - SlashGear


A company called BPG Werks has unveiled a cool new treaded vehicle that is a cross between a tank and a skateboard aimed at getting soldiers around quickly on just about any terrain. The vehicle is called the Shredder and it looks like the macho version of a Segway.


The thing is powered by a Honda 4-stroke 200cc engine with 15hp. The vehicle weighs 125 pounds and has a suspension with 3-inches of travel. The torque produced by the little 200cc motor is 16ft/lb. The shredder can carry 1200 pounds of payload when unmanned and 700 pounds when manned. The top speed for the Shredder is over 30 mph.

The DTV Shredder: The incredible motorised skateboard that looks like a tank | Mail Online


Its tank-like tracks enable it to climb over small obstacles

 
The DTV Shredder can hit speeds of up to 30mph

Its developers claim it is capable of travelling over any surface and can even be operated remotely




Collected from: BPG-WERKS

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2010-08-09

Boeing's Unmanned Spy Planes

Boeing Phantom Work

The Phantom Works division is the main research and development arm of The Boeing Company. Founded by McDonnell Douglas before the merger with Boeing, its primary focus had been development of advanced military products and technologies. After the merger, research and development expanded to cover commercial and space applications as well. Phantom Works has been a driving factor behind nearly all of the company's large contracts, including the upcoming X-45.


Phantom Ray: Boeing unveils spy plane of the future

14th May 2010
It may look like a futuristic starfighter, but this sleek gun-metal craft is Boeing's latest unmanned spy plane.

Called the Phantom Ray, the cutting-edge unmanned airborne system (UAS) was unveiled at a ceremony in St Louis yesterday.

The sleek craft has a 50ft wingspan, measures 36ft long and has a gross weight of 36,500lbs. It operates at an altitude of 40,000ft, which is 10,000ft higher than the average long-haul commercial airliner. It will cruise comfortably at a speed of 614mph, or 0.8mach, just shy of the speed of sound.




Phantom Ray makes its debut in St. Louis

“Phantom Ray offers a host of options for our customers as a test bed for advanced technologies, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; suppression of enemy air defenses; electronic attack and autonomous aerial refueling – the possibilities are nearly endless,” said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.





Phantom Eye: Boeing's new unmanned hydrogen-powered spy plane

14th July 2010
With its short, squat body and massive wingspan this is an unmanned jet with a difference - it's powered by hydrogen.

Boeing's Phantom Eye unmanned airborne system will be able to stay aloft at 65,000 feet for up to four days.

Phantom Eye is designed to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance missions while remaining at high altitude. It will produce only water as a by-product.



Phantom Eye High Altitude Long Endurance aircraft unveiled


"Phantom Eye is the first of its kind and could open up a whole new market in collecting data and communications," Darryl Davis, president of Boeing Phantom Works, said today at the unveiling ceremony in St. Louis. "It is a perfect example of turning an idea into a reality. It defines our rapid prototyping efforts and will demonstrate the art-of-the-possible when it comes to persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The capabilities inherent in Phantom Eye's design will offer game-changing opportunities for our military, civil and commercial customers."





Sources
Boeing Phantom Works - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_Phantom_Works
Phantom Ray: Boeing unveils spy plane of the future | Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1277235/Phantom-Ray-Boeing-unveils-spy-plane-future.html
Boeing Feature Story: Phantom Ray makes its debut in St. Louis
http://www.boeing.com/Features/2010/05/bds_feat_phantomRay_05_10_10.html
YouTube - boeing unveil phantom eye unmanned spy plane 12th july 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97lvvSrgkiY
Phantom Eye: Boeing's new unmanned hydrogen-powered spy plane | Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1294404/Phantom-Eye-Boeings-new-unmanned-hydrogen-powered-spy-plane.html
Boeing Feature Story: Phantom Eye High Altitude Long Endurance aircraft unveiled
http://www.boeing.com/Features/2010/07/bds_feat_phantom_eye_07_12_10.html
YouTube - Boeing Phantom Ray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEqBvvvSgK0

Related
The Boeing Company: Defense, Space & Security
http://www.boeing.com/bds/
Boeing's Phantom Ray to fly in December | Military Tech - CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13639_3-20004554-42.html
Boeing taps hydrogen for Phantom Eye UAV | Cutting Edge - CNET News
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-20010294-76.html
Boeing Phantom Ray - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_Phantom_Ray
Boeing Phantom Eye - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_Phantom_Eye

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2010-07-13

Taranis Unmanned Stealth Fighter Jet

Sky News HD

Taranis: The £143m Fighter Jet Of The Future

A new fighter jet which can fly without a pilot and defend itself against enemies has been unveiled.

Named after the Celtic god of thunder, the Taranis is an Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) which has the potential to precisely strike targets, even those on another continent.

The £143m prototype was revealed by defence firm BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, as part of an informal partnership with the Ministry of Defence and Rolls Royce, QinetiQ and GE Aviation.
Collected from: Fighter Jet





Taranis: The £143million unmanned stealth jet that will hit targets in another continent


The concept demonstrator will test the possibility of developing the first ever autonomous stealthy Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) that would ultimately be capable of precisely striking targets at long range, even in another continent

Collected from: unmanned stealth jet

BAE Taranis

The BAE Systems Taranis is a British demonstrator program for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) technology. It is part of the UK's Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicle (Experimental) program (SUAV[E]).

The Strategic Unmanned Air Vehicles (Experiment) IPT, or SUAV(E) IPT is responsible for directing the work required to establish the potential of Unmanned Air Vehicles.[1]

Named after the Celtic god of Thunder, Taranis will "explore and demonstrate how emerging technologies and systems can deliver battle-winning capabilities for the UK armed forces." [2]

Prototype unveiled

The prototype Taranis, which cost £143 million to develop, was unveiled by BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire on 12 July 2010. [11]
Flight trials are expected to begin in 2011.[12][13]


BAE Aerospace Taranis UCAV Unveiling Ceremony - Warton, July 12, 2010




A few quick stats about Taranis:
  • It’s nearly invisible to ground radar.
  • It’s designed to travel at “jet speeds.”
  • With onboard sensors, it’s intended for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in enemy territory.
  • It can also carry weapons, including bombs and missiles.
  • It can be controlled from anywhere in the world using satellite communication.
  • The plane began development in December 2006.
  • It’s the U.K.’s answer to U.S. supremacy in the stealth aircraft sector.

Collected from: Taranis - BAE Systems


Sources
Taranis: MoD And BAE Systems Unveil Futuristic Unmanned Fighter Jet | UK News | Sky News
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Taranis-MoD-And-BAE-Systems-Unveil-Futuristic-Unmanned-Fighter-Jet/Article/201007215663917?lpos=UK_News_Second_Home_Page_Article_Teaser_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15663917_Taranis%3A_MoD_And_BAE_Systems_Unveil_Futuristic_Unmanned_Fighter_Jet
Taranis: The £143million unmanned stealth jet that will be hit targets in another continent | Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1294037/Taranis-The-143million-unmanned-stealth-jet-hit-targets-continent.html
YouTube - MoD Unveils New UAV(Taranis)HQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eITS4R11kGY
BAE Taranis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BAE_Taranis
YouTube - BAE Aerospace Taranis UCAV Unveiling Ceremony - Warton, July 12, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FOKDXfo06g
BAE Systems’ Taranis: $214 million unmanned stealth jet can strike targets across oceans - SmartPlanet
http://www.smartplanet.com/business/blog/smart-takes/bae-systems-taranis-214-million-unmanned-stealth-jet-can-strike-targets-across-oceans/8835/
Taranis - BAE Systems
http://www.baesystems.com/Sites/Taranis/index.htm


Related
BAE Systems
http://www.baesystems.com/
Taranis Combat Aircraft Thunders into view - BAE Systems
http://www.baesystems.com/Sites/Taranis/Newsroom/autoGen_110612124240.html
BBC News - MoD lifts lid on unmanned combat plane prototype
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10602105.stm
Taranis: The $214 million unmanned stealth fighter that proves it’s better if it’s British
http://www.crunchgear.com/2010/07/12/taranis-the-214-million-unmanned-stealth-fighter-that-proves-its-better-if-its-british/
First metal cut on BAE's 'Taranis' robot stealth bomber • The Register
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/11/22/raf_overseas_outsource_outrage_taranis_robot_stealth_bomber/
England’s Taranis to be one of the largest UAVs ever
http://www.gizmag.com/go/6686/
Unmanned stealth bomber could have been UFO responsible for destroying wind turbine | Mail Online
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1108973/Unmanned-stealth-bomber-UFO-responsible-destroying-wind-turbine.html

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