PhotoTech
The seagull plane
Rick Lind, a University of Florida, Gainesville assistant professor of aerospace engineering, examines a prototype of a tiny surveillance airplane, seen in this August 11 handout image, that can change shape during flight. Mimicking seagulls, the plane's wings can turn up, level out, and turn down, enabling it to become more agile or more stable as desired. According to an article released August 23, by UF via the Eurekalert website, UF aerospace engineers, funded by the US Air Force and NASA, have built prototypes of 6-inch- to 2-foot- drones capable of squeezing in and out of tight spots in cities like tiny urban stunt planes. Their secret: seagull-inspired wings that "morph," or change shape, dramatically during flight, transforming the planes' stability and agility at the touch of a button on the operator's remote control. The plane is a step toward tiny military drones that can soar over cities and dive between buildings to shoot surveillance photos, test for chemical or biological weapons or perform other tasks.Photo: AFP
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments