British army gets nano-helicopter UAV

Catanonia said:
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.
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Given the reviews of that camera i don't feel it would meet the MOD criteria, for erm, working past 10ft.

Two different markets, two very different products, the MOD one has to work and is designed to, the other tosh that we buy for £50 simply doesn't do the same job.
 
Firestar_3x said:
Given the reviews of that camera i don't feel it would meet the MOD criteria, for erm, working past 10ft.

Two different markets, two very different products, the MOD one has to work and is designed to, the other tosh that we buy for £50 simply doesn't do the same job.
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totally understand, that was just a quick google looking to re-engineer a project I did ages ago.

More serious kit would be needed.

But £120k per unit !!! Holy ^&%$ still a lot for a simple idea. But add in all the tests, training spares, commisions and it does make you wonder.
 
Every component of that will of had to be tested and certified to military standards, which takes time tooling and money.

I once worked for a firm that won a contract to manufacture the comm handsets for the RN by mistake they used gold contacts, the RN decided that was unacceptable and requires all switching contacts to be made of silver. The company almost went bust.
 
MeEsH BaKkA said:
Every component of that will of had to be tested and certified to military standards, which takes trooling and money.

I once worked for a firm that won a contract to manufacture the comm handsets for the RN by mistake they used gold contacts, the RN decided that was unacceptable and requires all switching contacts to be made of silver. The company almost went bust.
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fixed
 
Just thought I would add some extra information for those still interested and maybe help explain the costs a bit better without saying too much (most of this can be found online anyway).

160 systems comprises of 2 vehicles, the controller which has full motion video displayed on a 7" screen, there are also 3 cameras fitted to the vehicle which provide crystal clear imaginery! Total weight is 1.5kg for a system so light enough to be carried easily. The flight systems etc also differ greatly from normal 'toy' helicopters in terms of stability and extra functions plus they can be pre programmed to investigate certain areas or flown remotely!

A very good little bit of kit, certainly made a difference deployed!
 
PhillyDee said:
I would also imagine the whole thing to be hardened, and not be made out of cheap plastic.
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I doubt that would make much difference honestly. The weight of them would avoid most falling damage and anything else would break it into tiny pieces however strong you want to make it. Give me a tennis racquet and I reckon you would find this drone in 1000 pieces after a good swing.
 
I sincerely hope that one day soldier worship will wither out, but i suppose ill be waiting a while.

A soldiers job is to safeguard a civilians way of life (No, every civilian), not to simply protect his own squad, which is likely more teamwork than anything.

I guess its rather pointless that i even bothered with this, but it just irritates me and i must voice it.
 
I seen those on a recent documentary

Would be totes amazing if they managed to fit a laser guided mini missile on to those things :p

highly doubtful though, they are so small! But UAV technology is on the boom, and I quite like seeing what they come up with, its innovative, just wish it wasnt such a price.
 
StriderX said:
I sincerely hope that one day soldier worship will wither out, but i suppose ill be waiting a while.

A soldiers job is to safeguard a civilians way of life (No, every civilian), not to simply protect his own squad, which is likely more teamwork than anything.

I guess its rather pointless that i even bothered with this, but it just irritates me and i must voice it.
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Whatever makes you think a soldier's job is to safeguard a civilian's way of life?

Nice kit though no doubt it will fall apart in the sand.
 
StriderX said:
I sincerely hope that one day soldier worship will wither out, but i suppose ill be waiting a while.

A soldiers job is to safeguard a civilians way of life (No, every civilian), not to simply protect his own squad, which is likely more teamwork than anything.

I guess its rather pointless that i even bothered with this, but it just irritates me and i must voice it.
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I must have joined the wrong army many years ago

Back then a soldiers job was TO KILL the ENEMY;)
 
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