Handheld Chopper

[CoffmanStarter]

The technology and Black Hornet have been around for some time ... But it now looks like the kit is in op use ... amazing :D

Black Hornet Nanocopter (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2272590/The-Black-Hornet--tiny-spy-drone-follow-enemy-targets-way-home.html#axzz2JrEMCv50)

Apologies that the article comes from the MoS :(

[Courtney Mil]

Handheld Chopper? I say! Would you like to rephrase that?

[NutLoose]

Check out the Humming Bird.

Media Gallery - Video (http://www.avinc.com/media_gallery/videos/uas)

[EEngr]

I haven't kept up with the drone/helicopter technology. But perhaps someone more familiar with flight controls, aerodynamics and propulsion efficiency can jump in.

What is the reasoning behind using the same (albeit scaled down) form factor as a manned helicopter? That is; single lift/propulsion rotor plus a tail rotor for torque control. Many of the hobby drones seem to use multiple lift rotors, eliminating the articulation needed for attitude control, using electronic motor control instead.

[NutLoose]

I suppose its proven technology and can be made smaller in that form, the link I showed is totally different, it flies like a real humming bird beating its wings, can hover and is highly maneuverable.

[CoffmanStarter]

EEngr ...

I'm afraid I'm not an engineer ... but looking at other products from the Company it would seem other configurations are available. I'm guessing that cheapness/expendability is the key here. Note the "handy pack" of nano copters ... probably more robust for troops to transport/deploy/operate in the field than the counter rotating blade configs ?

http://www.proxdynamics.com/images/uploads/BaseStation.jpg

Prox Dynamics (http://www.proxdynamics.com/r_d/micro_helicopters_and_ornithopters/)

Best regards ...

Coff.

[Milo Minderbinder]

I can't help feeling that given the size, the radio control kit can't be all that sophisticated and would be prone to easy jamming

[CoffmanStarter]

MM ...

I thought that ... but I suspect issues of that nature would have been covered ...

The Black Hornet – properly called a Proxdynamics PD-100 Personal Reconnaissance System – is a joint UK-Norwegian venture and was passed fit for service in Afghanistan after extensive field trials in Cyprus last year.

[Lima Juliet]

Nah, these type of things have been in military service for at least 5 years. They've been the scurge of crewrooms and many Dining In Nights!

http://the-gadgeteer.com/assets/silverlit-picooz-2.jpg

:ok:

[Bevo]

MM ...

I thought that ... but I suspect issues of that nature would have been covered ...

This is from Spektrum, one of the more popular radio control aircraft hobby transmitter/receiver systems. It is designed so that over 100 transmitters can be operating simultaneously during large RC flight events. DSMX is essentially frequency hopping technology. Commercial technology is amazing and unfortunately available a wide range of folks, both good guys and bad guys.


"What DSMX™ adds to the tried and true wideband technology of DSM2™ is the extra interference protection and faster reconnection times of frequency agility. But DSMX isn't just another frequency hopping system. It is wideband agile.

DSMX frequency shifts are coordinated using the most advanced FHSS algorithm ever seen in an RC application. Unlike other FHSS transmitters that all hop in the same fixed patterns, every DSMX transmitter has its own unique frequency shift pattern calculated using its GUID (Globally Unique Identifier). And each pattern uses just 23 channels in the 2.4GHz spectrum.

By adding the agility of unique frequency shifts to the superior interference resistance of a wideband signal, and limiting those shifts to a smaller portion of the 2.4 band, DSMX transmitters provide on-channel interference protection that is simply second to none. The result is quicker reconnection times and superb response in the noisiest 2.4GHz environment."

(http://www.spektrumrc.com/Technology/DSMX.aspx)
DSMX: Spektrum - The Leader in Spread Spectrum Technology (http://www.spektrumrc.com/Technology/DSMX.aspx)

[BEagle]

They've been the scurge of crewrooms and many Dining In Nights!

Worthy successors to the rubber powered balsa profile model, which would be launched with one wing blazing in the direction of the top table.....:E

At RAFC, one landed on the Commandant's ADC and got tangled up in his aiguillettes (gold dangly bits) - he wasn't terribly happy....:ooh:

[NutLoose]

Worthy successors to the rubber powered balsa profile model, which would be launched with one wing blazing in the direction of the top table.....

It must have lit up the room like a Jaguar in reheat........ Only faster.

[CoffmanStarter]

Thanks Bevo ... amazing technology !

Now Leon ... I think we need to be a little more adventurous here :E

With trusted accomplices and components secreted pre dinner ... "under table inflation" is perfectly feasible ... :}

Add Pig as required !!!

Top Secret Mess Kit (http://www.angrybirdsairswimmers.com)

[Lima Juliet]

Coff

Me likee a lot! http://forums.mg-rover.org/images/smilies/biggrinbounce2.gif

How many more days to Christmas...