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SQ-4 Micro UAV Photo: bcbin.com |
SQ-4 Micro UAV
Silverfox UAV (BAE systems)
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A Silver Fox UAV on a launching platform Photo: baesystems.com |
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Silver Fox UAV in flight Photo: baesystems.com |
The EADS Barracuda unmanned combat airplane
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Source: defencetalk.com |
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Comparison of UCAV types including the Barracuda, X-45a, X-47a, and the Sky-X Photo: abovetopsecret.com |
Northrop Grumman Bat UAS (formerly KillerBee)
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Photo: robotliving.com |
Northrop Grumman has been working on a series of low flying unmanned aerial vehicles; they have named this project the Northrop Grumman Bat (formerly Swift Killerbee). They are being developed for the USAF, USMC, US Navy, and the US department of Defense. The Bat is capable of carrying a 30lb payload that is unmatched on UAV’s with a 10ft wingspan. In March of 2006 the Killerbee was test flown in Nevada by Swift engineering for the USAF where it met approval by their representatives. The partnership between Northrop Grumman and Swift Engineering ended in 2007 when Northrop Grumman took over the UAS family and introduced the Bat later in their development.
The UAS system only requires two people to fully operate the UAV. Advanced automation of the system makes operation easy. The UAV can be automatically recovered into a net. GCS software allows for reduced operator workload and thus less human error factor. The Bat UAV is launched into the air by a catapult, the functions of the catapult are monitored by the GCS software making user input less necessary. The airframe is made largely of high tech composites making the airplane extremely strong at a light weight. Bat systems with the current engine under development will be able to be in the air up to 15 hours at a time with a payload of 30lbs. Top speed of the Bat is 105 km/h. The Bat’s unique design gives it a lower visual and radar profile making it stealth-like. The payload consists of still-image and real time video-cameras. Also possible are EO/IR and SAR sensors, laser range finders and designators, infra-red cameras, communication equipment, and flare dispensers.
With the ability to carry a 30lb payload on such a small UAV there are a lot of possibilities for this aircraft in the future. Nothrop Grumman has picked up on a great project and I can’t even imagine the possibilities of this aircraft in the future with newer technology. This aircraft is also thought of something that could be used as a private security measure, border patrol, and to monitor local pipelines and electrical lines.
Aviation and extreme weather don’t mix
Weather plays a key role in aviation. Storms can completely change when your flight is available to leave and in extreme cases can cause serious damage to aircraft. Other types of weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, squall lines, and even the simple cloud can cause serious issues to the average VFR pilot. Clouds are the weather sign points in the sky after all.
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Cumulonimbus cloud Photo by Corbis Premium |
Different types of clouds include altostratus, altocumulus, cirrus, cirrostratus, cirrocumulus, cumulus, towering cumulus, and the most dangerous type cumulonimbus. Cumulonimbus clouds are the most dangerous to aircraft due to their strong updrafts with gusts exceeding 100mph. Inside of these clouds are super-cooled water droplets which instantly freeze to an airplanes surface.
When an air mass moves out of its original region it is called a front. A front is basically a different temperature mass of air that moves into another area with a difference in temperature. Fronts are divided into warm and cold. A cold front is defined as a front that moves into displace warmer air. A warm front displaces cold air in the same way. When we have both cold and warm front collide we call it an occluded front.
Thunderstorms are said to be the most dangerous type of threat to aircraft. They can contain strong gusts, icing, hail, rain, lightning, and even tornadoes. Thunderstorms can be single-cell, multi-cell, or super-cells. In some circumstances thunderstorms can form in lines called squall lines. These are extremely dangerous to aircraft and should be avoided. Thunderstorms go through three stages: cumulus, mature, and dissipating. Most storms go through this entire cycle in as little as an hour. This doesn’t mean that other storms won’t form in the mean time.
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