British army gets nano-helicopter UAV

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Cool:

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/pictures-uk-shows-black-hornet-uav-in-action-381938/

However,£20 million for 160 systems. I know military technology is not cheap,but FFS that is £125000 per deployed system!!

 

[Firestar_3x]

Sounds alright given:

A 25min flight endurance carrying a daylight camera payload, the 16 gram PD-100 can transmit video and still imagery to a handheld terminal from a range of up to 0.5nm (1km), it says.

Seems impressive for something so small and light.

 

[233]

jesus,

not being funny but i'm sure that my kids have rc helicopters just like that.


obviously the mil spec ones will have better batteries a camera and obviously a better range but really 1/8 million each?


but then again if people can show me that one of these has potentially saved the lifes of one of out troops then it will be cash well spent

 

[Cosimo]

There is a video in this link:

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Defence/article1206656.ece

The Taliban will get a shock when they fly one into a house.

 

[TheLegendOfMart]

£40, instant savings!

 

[Catanonia]

WTF, you can get 2 of these in a pack for under £25 and they fire lasars at each other.

So add in a camera, not much of an issue, done it myself on mini electric heli's, range of 1km LOL what a joke.

Plus it won't work in anything but stable air conditions.

Contractors taking the michael if you ask me.

Infact see the previous post ^^^^^ I have done it smaller on one of these pica heli's

 

[Firestar_3x]

jesus,

not being funny but i'm sure that my kids have rc helicopters just like that.


obviously the mil spec ones will have better batteries a camera and obviously a better range but really 1/8 million each?


but then again if people can show me that one of these has potentially saved the lifes of one of out troops then it will be cash well spent

So apart from the flight time, the camera and range your kids have something similar?

 

[Catanonia]

So apart from the flight time, the camera and range your kids have something similar?

mmm, yes I made one, camera, flight time around 20 mins. Ok so it was not painted green with secure communications or a 6 tonne control unit to survive a nuclear blast, but yes and all for under £200.

But, one gust of wind and it was f&*^ed

 

[Spuj]

WTF, you can get 2 of these in a pack for under £25 and they fire lasars at each other.

So add in a camera, not much of an issue, done it myself on mini electric heli's, range of 1km LOL what a joke.

Plus it won't work in anything but stable air conditions.

Contractors taking the michael if you ask me.

Infact see the previous post ^^^^^ I have done it smaller on one of these pica heli's

You clearly don't have a lot of understanding when it comes to military equipment judging by this post.

 

[d_brennen]

Flight time is impressive. Given £125000 I reckon I could build something with a longer range albeit somewhat bigger and have change for a pint or two

 

[Firestar_3x]

mmm, yes I made one, camera, flight time around 20 mins. Ok so it was not painted green with secure communications or a 6 tonne control unit to survive a nuclear blast, but yes and all for under £200.

But, one gst of wind and it was f&*^ed

Pictures please, how large was it, how heavy, what was the camera quality like, range, how did you see the camera image.

All military gear needs to go through certification, testing and approval, it's a totally different ballgame, trying to compare this to a £25 - £200 civilian equivalent is just laughable.

 

[cokecan]

Wonder how noisy these are and also how they cope outdoors if there is any wind?

 

[Catanonia]

Pictures please, how large was it, how heavy, what was the camera quality like, range, how did you see the camera image.

don't have any, junked it as it was crap in the wind. Ended up using my petrol 30 class heli as was stable in the wind.

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Pictures please, how large was it, how heavy, what was the camera quality like, range, how did you see the camera image.

All military gear needs to go through certification, testing and approval, it's a totally different ballgame, trying to compare this to a £25 - £200 civilian equivalent is just laughable.

I am interested in military stuff too,I have been to air shows and the like for example.

I have been following micro-UAV developments for a while,and compared to some of the stuff which is being developed or has been developed, this appears to a very low risk system made using off the shelf parts.

You only have to look at projects like the following which will be funded by the US Airforce for $1 million with additional commerical funding:

http://www.gizmag.com/techject-dragonfly-microuav/24900/

That is one of many project out theres,some which have been out for years.

 

[steve45]

You have to remember when it comes to Military procurment the total cost also includes the price of development, testing, trials, training, spares+support for the equipments lifetime etc etc.
they are not just paying for the outlay of units themselves.

 

[Catanonia]

You have to remember when it comes to Military procurment the total cost also includes the price of development, testing, trials, training, spares+support for the equipments lifetime etc etc.
they are not just paying for the outlay of units themselves.

pricesly my comments on contractors and the eventual cost I was hinting at.

 

[EdGey]

Can it carry grenades?

 

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

You have to remember when it comes to Military procurment the total cost also includes the price of development, testing, trials, training, spares+support for the equipments lifetime etc etc.
they are not just paying for the outlay of units themselves.

The same with commercial equipment too.

However,you are forgetting that most of the hardware technology is commercial modules(I knew people who were involved in autonomous vehicle research at a university),so R and D is not as much as you think it is.

Moreover,with the explosion in mobile devices,the actual costs of things like high capacity battery technology,low power HD cameras,and low cost SOCs,has massively dropped in price,as it has become a commodity. The technology costs are spread out over millions of devices now.

20 years ago,they would have been incredibly expensive.

Look at that previous project which is mostly funded by the US Air Force.

That will be under $1.5 million for the entire project. This is one of many projects around the world.

Moreover,that is a design which will need far more work on. The design I mentioned in the OP is based on proven micro-helicopter technology.

 

[Catanonia]

Put this into google "Mini Wireless Micro-Spy Video Camera 2.4GHz (Complete Package)" Not allowed to post direct link.

Now pick your commercially available mini copter and upgrade the LiPo battery to one of your choice for power and endurance. This is the most expensive part getting small but powerful / endurance lipos and modding them. Package it all up and bobs your uncle.

Maybe a few tweeks to the blades for efficiency. Pretty much how I did it.

 

[mattyg]

Chinese copies will be on ebay within a month