Sep 28 2009Crazy: Lockheed Martin's Samurai Monocopter
Monocopters are single-bladed airfoils, best known for falling from maple trees as whirligigs. But this is a radio controlled version developed by Lockheed Martin that actually flies UP instead of only down. I predict robotic versions in the future with really, really sharp blades on them.
Eventually, the SAMARAI project was supposed to produce a nanomonocopter (?) about the same size as a seed pod (on the order of 1.5 inches long and 10 grams in weight), driven by a miniature rocket or jet thruster, able to send back streaming video (that was stabilized somehow), autonavigate, and deliver a 2 gram payload up to a kilometer away. The big version in the video above was a testbed to help engineers figure out just how to get this thing to fly in a stable and controllable manner.
Forget helicopters and monocopters, what ever happened to good old fashioned jetpacks? Because jetpacks, as my Magic 8-Ball just confirmed, are the wave of the future. Just saying, you ever made love to a girl who was wearing one? Don't do it from behind.
Lockheed Martin SAMARAI UAV Scares Me [botjunkie]
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Reader Comments
1. Mr. cow - September 28, 2009 1:03 PM
Moo
2. SevanSins - September 28, 2009 1:10 PM
He said trim. (giggle)
3. Spikey DaPikey - September 28, 2009 1:24 PM
Holy swirly blades of death !!
4. Lolfirst? - September 28, 2009 1:35 PM
I shall be a firsttard for once, since it's a fad. :|
FIRST?
5. Geekolojew - September 28, 2009 1:36 PM
Must See!!!
http://alturl.com/obg7
________________
6. Q - September 28, 2009 1:37 PM
Mr. Cow pwns firstards.
7. Kanye Westicles - September 28, 2009 2:03 PM
I'ma just say it - this post was STUPID. Who gives a crap about something you can't even control, anyway? Post something about the new South Park and maybe you'll get more than 7 responses... most of them being idiots assuming their post is 1st... 30 minutes after a firstard already stole the honors. BEYONCE 4 EVER.
8. Jaycob - September 28, 2009 2:04 PM
Impressive but needs somthing
9. Taylored - September 28, 2009 2:16 PM
Those engineers over at Lockheed are wasting time, but I am sure we are paying them handsomely for it.
10. $.02 and a pocket full of FAH-Q - September 28, 2009 2:28 PM
Does it have a monocle?
11. RK - September 28, 2009 2:38 PM
boring
12. hollywood_hillbilly - September 28, 2009 3:07 PM
hmm, can deliver 2 grams up to a kilometer away? sounds more like a nieghborhood drug dealer than military hardware.
13. Omy - September 28, 2009 3:38 PM
I want one :D
@7 shut the f up
14. SpeedRacer - September 28, 2009 3:41 PM
Sounds evil.
15. Pat - September 28, 2009 3:47 PM
This looks like something I would strap my GI-Joes to when they went on awesome crazy outdoor missions.
16. Mr. pig - September 28, 2009 5:02 PM
Oink
17. Uncle Eccoli - September 28, 2009 5:57 PM
That's cool, I guess. What's the benefit, though?
18. Nick Sydney - September 28, 2009 7:30 PM
how is it spinning in the first place?
19. Cortniej - September 28, 2009 9:05 PM
sounds like my moms room when my dad goes on business trips....
20. Shitaki breath - September 29, 2009 4:57 AM
So that is going to be the last sound I hear ??
21. That uncle who did that bad thing we don't speak about - September 29, 2009 4:59 AM
This thing will be deadly in a combat situation, as I have done some research into what constitutes a 2g payload. The results are terrifying:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_weighs_two_grams
22. Ste - September 29, 2009 5:04 AM
@21
Best link ever. Had to laugh out loud at that answer
23. Jaded Icon - September 29, 2009 7:25 AM
@ 7
This coming from a guy who has a crush on Kanye West. I am only guessing you have a crush on him, but you talk about him ALL THE F*CKING TIME, and you blush slightly at the sound of his voice.....