I was reading the online version of the Aerospace Daily the other day and it mentioned they had dumped the contractor for batteries for the Army's new UAV surveilance system that would fly out to a predetermined location using GPS or other means and land or perch itself on say a hil or other good viewing location and begin surveilance. When done it would start up again and return to base.
It was supposed to be battery powered but the lithium batteries supplied by the contractor didn't meet spec and the UAV did not have enough power to rise up again and return to base. This would have made it a one way trip.
They opted to dump the batteries altogether and go with a diesil engine. The engine when built is supposed to be only 3 cubic inches in volume and the entire UAV is only 11.5 inch wide as it's required to fit in a standard back pack so that troops can carry it without much difficulty. The estimated and required horsepower for this little engine is supposed to be 2.5 to 3 HP.
It was supposed to be battery powered but the lithium batteries supplied by the contractor didn't meet spec and the UAV did not have enough power to rise up again and return to base. This would have made it a one way trip.
They opted to dump the batteries altogether and go with a diesil engine. The engine when built is supposed to be only 3 cubic inches in volume and the entire UAV is only 11.5 inch wide as it's required to fit in a standard back pack so that troops can carry it without much difficulty. The estimated and required horsepower for this little engine is supposed to be 2.5 to 3 HP.
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