Posted on 12/21/2011 2:38:57 PM PST by Utilizer
In Afghanistan, supply convoys have been a favorite target of insurgent fighters, not only because they make warfighting possible for troops at forward operating bases but also because they are so very vulnerable to ambushes and IEDs. But on Saturday, NATO logisticians hit a major milestone in Afghanistan, reaching out and touching one of the holy grails of robotic warfare when an unmanned K-MAX helicopter successfully delivered a sling-load of beans, bullets, and band-aids to an unspecified base for the first time.
(Excerpt) Read more at popsci.com ...
How soon until Obama lets one land in Iran?
I want one.
When are we going to crash one over Iran or Pakistan?
could prove the safest way to feed Michael Moore,too.
Probably work best if they used prop artists to make it look like a pig. That way, even if they reported to the news media that a flying pig had landed, no one would be willing to touch it. *smirk*
Someone with a flair for PR made up that manifest. A great use of alliteration and it covers most of the categories of resupply (food, ammo, medical). Only fuel is missing — perhaps they could have added a blitz can of fuel.
Not necessarily. ‘Beans, Bullets, and Band-Aids’ is general MilSpeak for a generic or unspecified load.
From the 'A' in SMEAC 'admin and logistics'. A Corps colloquialism.
I charged it up, took it out to the driveway and destroyed it within 7 or 8 minutes....fortunately, it was a cheapie, and the store actually gave her a refund.
Thank you both for setting me straight about that. Still, whoever first came up with that did a good job.
Intended for the hobby-class helis, one can purchase an auto-stabilization system on the commercial market. These can right an out-of-control copter within a second. In fact, there are quite a few products out there, from $69 to hundreds of dollars. These vary in sophistication and function from simple leveling using gyros to GPS- and inertial-guided return to home and automatic landing. I am making up my mind on which system to purchase; am currently looking at a simple system that uses differential between earth and sky temperatures to establish level.
Took me bout 20 seconds to destroy mine . Shot right up from the driveway and smashed into the garage rain gutter.
Check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7po3JlgWhvQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Or this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSzeM50B8hI&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Navair ping
On a related topic, did you know they now make a Chinook-style toy RC helo?
Feel sorry for the groundpounders a bit though. If they are not wearing hearing protectors their ears are going to be ringing for awhile. Jet engines are bloody LOUD.
Thanks Utilizer.
Anytime, mate. Not sure what you are sending the thanks for, but you are welcome nonetheless. Cheers!
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