Lockheed Martin Samarai monocopter UAV

Lockheed Martin video showing a recent flight test of a prototype of its Samarai mono-wing rotorcraft - or monocopter - unmanned aircraft. The design is insprired by the maple seed, or samara, which autorotates as it falls. This test vehicle has a 30-inch wing span, but Lockheed Martin is working to develop much smaller versions than can be carried in a soldier's backpack, or even pocket, and launched though a window to fly indoors. The next version will have a 20-30cm span, while the ultimate Samarai could be just 5-10cm long. This vehicle is electrically powered by a small propeller.

Read more about it at Aviation Week's Ares blog - http://tinyurl.com/ye4yg8k

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• aircraft
• unmanned
• UAV
• Lockheed

[podboq2]

i'm wondering what makes it spin

[kidwe11]

the university of maryland also has some pretty advanced monocopters.

[sloshutter2]

I want one

[WellPlacedSkidMark]

@engaurd I dont think "PITCHFORKS" and "PLACARD WAVERS !" would work well together, it would be like a load of people protesting for bigger toast, or forks, I dunno crazy people would turn up dressed as Marmite "DEMONS!".

Well I dont know about you but I feel sorry for the dog, it doesnt know any better, did it find it's ball?.

[poolmotorrepairguyFL]

i want a ride, where do i sit ? will i need air sick bags ?

[Mycophilliac]

That is not what I expected.

[WellPlacedSkidMark]

BTW Lockheed martin also make land mines and nukes.

[WellPlacedSkidMark]

@leviterande why would u need that, just go get the weight of a maple seed and wing span and do the math. E.G a maple seed falls at a certain speed based upon its weight in relation to its wing which slows the fall so if u increase the spin of the wing u will get lift or hover.

The seed weight relates to the span of the wing else it would fall straight down so then consider air resistance also.

Its not hard to understand alot harder to explain I guess.

[instantdeath666]

The idea is that for surveillance and imaging you need one camera and you get a 360 degree view. With a traditional helicopter or airplane you would need to make multiple passes or have more cameras to get the same view.

[DrAlexJCagleMD]

Im waiting for a dog to snatch it like a frisbie.

[darkergambit3129]

It is a monocopter. Right now they are academic. The idea is that they are more efficient than a helicopter. It's just another way of doing things. The less parts you have the less that can go wrong really. It can actually fly waypoints etc. it's not what the video makes it look.