Pentagon Seeks Laser-Powered Bat Drones (defenseone.com) 44
Zorro quotes DefenseOne:
A new contest seeks flight systems inspired by Mother Nature and powered by directed-energy beams. Tired: multi-rotor copters and fixed-wing drones. Wired: flying robots that move like living animals, are crafted of next-generation materials, and draw their power not from batteries but energy beamed from nearby aircraft...
"The biological study of agile organisms such as bats and flying insects has yielded new insights into complex flight kinematics of systems with a large number of degrees of freedom, and the use of multi-functional flight surface materials," the announcement reads. The Air Force believes that more and more naturalistic design -- coupled with more powerful and smaller sensors to form a better picture of the outside world -- should yield "significant improvements in maneuverability, survivability and stealth over traditional quadcopter or fixed wing designs."
The article includes a link to a CalTech video showing footage of an advanced robotic bat.
"The biological study of agile organisms such as bats and flying insects has yielded new insights into complex flight kinematics of systems with a large number of degrees of freedom, and the use of multi-functional flight surface materials," the announcement reads. The Air Force believes that more and more naturalistic design -- coupled with more powerful and smaller sensors to form a better picture of the outside world -- should yield "significant improvements in maneuverability, survivability and stealth over traditional quadcopter or fixed wing designs."
The article includes a link to a CalTech video showing footage of an advanced robotic bat.
Been Done (Score:1)
I've been using laser power on drones for ages. When someone with a white coat does it then they get praised. When I harness the power of the sun to fry ants I'm looked down upon. The world is a crazy place.
Re: (Score:1)
I'm not religious but I'd agree with Churchill that it is only because 'Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science' that Western Europe didn't go the way of Constantinople.
And these drones are part of those 'strong arms of science'.
"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries. Improvident habits, slove
Remote laser power for energy (Score:2)
What could go wrong ? Shall we start with rain & smoke ?
Re: (Score:2)
The Donald. He got a bigger laser than anyone. He'll tweet about it in the morning.
Re: (Score:2)
Shall we start with rain & smoke ?
Different tools for different circumstances and opportunities. There are all sorts of military tools that are more (or only) effective under certain conditions. They're also used regularly to great effect. Just because you can't use it all the time doesn't mean you wouldn't want the advantage of using it when conditions are good for it. That's the oldest story in military history.
Re: (Score:2)
Actually, the oldest story in military history is the guy who relied on his defenses but they came tumbling down.
What makes you think these are necessarily defensive tools?
Re: (Score:3)
Just for the record, I'm against arming wildlife. If you think mosquitoes are a problem now, just imagine when they get RPGs.
However, I think it should be pointed out that bats navigate by sonar and thus probably will not be greatly bothered by smoke or rain. Country and Western music played at high volume may be needed to defend against them.
Re: (Score:2)
However, I think it should be pointed out that bats navigate by sonar and thus probably will not be greatly bothered by smoke or rain.
First, the story is about drones, not bats. Second, the suggestion is they could be powered by lasers, which would be disrupted or attenuated by rain, fog, dust, or smoke.
Re: (Score:2)
How about a missile strike at the source of high energy microwaves which are harmful to all living things, even in peace time, fully justifiable. Track the damaging radiation back to it's source and kill them before they harm your citizens. Why bother with the artificial bat, if your intent is to microwave people, just microwave them, give them cancer, why do it by accident, you will still be attacked any how. The stupid it burns, just like the higher levels of output required to power, rather than just con
Re: (Score:2)
I know Jesus. He's one of my homies. Might not be him though, different last name, but he did create a lot of people with a lot of different women.
Re: (Score:2)
I had Jesus fixed. They spray if you don't.
Freakin Laser Beams (Score:1)
I think we can do one better: bat drones powered by sharks with freakin laser beams attached to their heads.
Bat drones? (Score:3)
Where do they get those wonderful toys?
Wayne Industries (Score:2)
Laser Powered Bat Drones.
How can you get more nerdy than that?
Re: (Score:2)
How can you get more nerdy than that?
Simple: Mount the laser on a shark.
So the shark powers and controls the bat drone . . . but who or what is powering and controlling the shark . . . ?
Re: (Score:2)
fembots with freaking machine guns in their b00b135!!
Bringing a whole new ... (Score:2)
... meaning to "batshit crazy."
Tired? Wired? (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Yeah that took me a minute too. Sounds like a failed attempt at being cute.
haven't seen the obligatory .. (Score:1)
I, for one, would like to welcome our new laser powered bat drone overlords ..
or don't we do that anymore?
Bat Drone. Kewl. Like this? (Score:2)