by proldic » Tue Aug 30, 2005 12:06 pm
This one back to the top just in case it got buried.<br><br>From this:<br> <!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://p216.ezboard.com/frigorousintuitionfrm10.showMessage?topicID=525.topic">p216.ezboard.com/frigorou...=525.topic</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br> <br>New Scientist Aug 25 '05<br><br>Robotic spy-planes use shape-shifting wings<br><br>by Duncan Graham-Rowe <br><br>Photo: The tiny surveillance drone mimics the changing wing shape used by seagulls to switch between agile and stable configurations <br><br>Small robotic spy-planes have been developed that use shape-shifting wings to switch from being stable gliders to ultra-manoeuvrable fliers.<br><br>The articulated wings – with a span of 60 centimetres – were inspired by the way seagulls alter their wing-shape during flight...<br><br>It is difficult to quantify how manoeuvrable the new drones are. But during flight tests they have been capable of performing three continuous 360° rolls in 1 second. F-16 fighter jets can carry out one roll per second but have safeguards to prevent more than this in case the pilot passes out through g-force effects. But even without these safeguards Lind, a former NASA engineer, doubts F-16 could match his drones’ performance.<br><br>The drones are being developed for use in an urban landscape. Lind sees his planes being used for surveillance and security purposes. <br><br>They could carry sensors to the location of a suspected bioterrorism attack, for example.<br><br>...“The challenge now is to develop autopilot software that makes use of this enhanced agility,” says Lind.<br><br>www.newscientist.com/arti...?id=dn7903 <p></p><i></i>
