Remember the Hoverbike? They're now partnered with the US military.
65 replies, posted
[url]http://www.engadget.com/2015/06/22/us-military-hoverbike/[/url]
[url]http://www.hover-bike.com/MA/[/url]
[quote]Last time we heard from Malloy Aeronautics, it was testing hoverbike technology with a robot-carrying drone. [B]A few months later, it's partnering with a Maryland-based defense company to develop a hoverbike for the US military. Working with Survice Engineering Co., the UK aeronautics company will set up shop in Maryland as part of "an ongoing research and development contract."[/B] The duo will also work with the US Army Research Laboratory on the project that aims to create "a new class of Tactical Reconnaissance Vehicle (TRV)."
The goal is to replace some of the work a helicopter does with the hoverbikes, a vehicle that provides increased safety and costs significantly less. [/quote]
[img]http://horobox.reager.org/u/orkel_1435145002.jpg[/img]
Oh fuck yes.
fuck yes, the future is awesome
So when does America become the Empire.
Here's to hoping this marvelous piece of engineering gets released to the masses. I would be damn amazed to see one of these things take to the streets.
This is the new engine placement design that has better stability
[img]http://horobox.reager.org/u/orkel_1435118986.jpg[/img]
[QUOTE=Orkel;48033094]This is the new engine placement design that has better stability
[img]http://horobox.reager.org/u/orkel_1435118986.jpg[/img][/QUOTE]
Holy fuck I would never have thought of placing propellers like that.
This thing looks dangerous as hell though :v:
The maryland based defense contracting company is likely to be U.S. Falcon. They're testing it at Aberdeen Proving ground where my father works.
Hoverbikes are undoubtedly cool, but what's the military application of a vehicle that's louder, has far less fuel economy, carries less, is less maneuverable, of debatable benefit in speed, and less reliable than a motorcycle while not carrying any armament?
Sure, it'd be better in excessively muddy or sandy terrain, but one of these does that too.
[t]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-725-0184-22,_Russland,_Soldaten_auf_Kettenkrad.jpg[/t]
Furthermore, hasn't this sort of concept already been tested before anyway?
[t]https://howthingsfly.si.edu/sites/default/files/image-large/19610070000b_lg.jpg[/t]
Im wondering what kind of slope it can climb
Ewok buddy not included.
So, would a hoverbike control person be a pilot or a driver? Would it be part of the airforce?
[QUOTE=fishyfish777;48033219]Hoverbikes are undoubtedly cool, but what's the military application of a vehicle that's louder, has far less fuel economy, carries less, is less maneuverable, slower, and less reliable than a motorcycle while not carrying any armament?
Sure, it'd be better in excessively muddy or sandy terrain, but one of these does that too.
[t]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-725-0184-22,_Russland,_Soldaten_auf_Kettenkrad.jpg[/t]
Furthermore, hasn't this sort of concept already been tested before anyway?
[t]https://howthingsfly.si.edu/sites/default/files/image-large/19610070000b_lg.jpg[/t][/QUOTE]
The military always funds defense contractors with farfetched ideas. They throw money at anything to see what sticks. Basically if you want to be a millionaire, come up with something that has a vague military potential and you'll have taxpayer money thrown at you.
[QUOTE=fishyfish777;48033219]Hoverbikes are undoubtedly cool, but what's the military application of a vehicle that's louder, has far less fuel economy, carries less, is less maneuverable, slower, and less reliable than a motorcycle while not carrying any armament?
Sure, it'd be better in excessively muddy or sandy terrain, but one of these does that too.
[img]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-725-0184-22,_Russland,_Soldaten_auf_Kettenkrad.jpg[/img][/QUOTE]
You wouldn't say it's maneuverable? Not just sand and mud, but rocky or otherwise downright unfavorable terrain can be easily glided over.
A lot of work is definitely needed, but I think it's a pretty cool project. That is, until something sucks into one of the propellers and fucks up absolutely everything.
[I]A helicopter combined with a motorbike.[/I]
Whoever does the paperwork regarding vehicular deaths is probably having nightmares already
[QUOTE=fishyfish777;48033219]Hoverbikes are undoubtedly cool, but what's the military application of a vehicle that's louder, has far less fuel economy, carries less, is less maneuverable, slower, and less reliable than a motorcycle while not carrying any armament?
Sure, it'd be better in excessively muddy or sandy terrain, but one of these does that too.
Furthermore, hasn't this sort of concept already been tested before anyway?
[/QUOTE]
New concepts like this develop over time
[t]http://cdn-frm-eu.wargaming.net/wot/eu/uploads/monthly_02_2014/post-2230519-0-12875500-1391940676.jpg[/t]
[t]http://anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com/Armoured%20Vehicles/Images/Chall206.jpg[/t]
[QUOTE=OvB;48033271]The military always funds defense contractors with farfetched ideas. They throw money at anything to see what sticks. Basically if you want to be a millionaire, come up with something that has a vague military potential and you'll have taxpayer money thrown at you.[/QUOTE]
Here:
[quote]The DoD is interested in the technology for a few reasons.[B] For one, it's safe.[/B] The hoverbike's rotors are guarded so they won't tear into humans and other objects. [B]It's also a cheaper option than, say, a helicopter.[/B] And it's [B]more maneuverable in tight spaces[/B], with [B]options to operate it autonomously[/B] or with a human pilot.
Developers of the hoverbike told Reuters that[B] they consider it ideal for search and rescue or cargo delivery missions. It could also be used for surveillance[/B] — plans for the full-scale version include an attachable humanoid figure with a head-mounted camera.[/quote]
[QUOTE=Orkel;48033364]plans for the full-scale version include an attachable humanoid figure with a head-mounted camera.[/QUOTE]
What, why. Why not just stick cameras to the thing without slapping a human-size puppet on it?
Now that they are a Military Contractor, I sure can't wait to see what prototype they'll unveil in 15 years with $200 million of government investment.
[QUOTE=fishyfish777;48033219]Hoverbikes are undoubtedly cool, but what's the military application of a vehicle that's louder, has far less fuel economy, carries less, is [B]less maneuverable, slower[/B], and less reliable than a motorcycle while not carrying any armament?[/QUOTE]
Why would it be less maneuverable or slower? It's an aircraft, isn't restricted to roads, and has all the turning space in the world.
Plus it's a smaller target for rockets than a helicopter is, and due to the small body and complete enclosure of blades, you can probably have the bikes fly between buildings or even accidentally sideswipe them, and still keep flying. Good for recon at a low level instead of having a helicopter hundreds of meters over the area.
So this is more or less a big ass quadcopter.
The first design looks undoubtedly cooler than the one with overlapping rotors (Only because I'm a sucker for symmetry.)
These will look great with some rockets strapped to it.
[QUOTE=purvisdavid1;48033084]So when does America become the Empire.[/QUOTE]
When the God Emperor finally emerges as the ruler of humanity.
You know, the guy who has remained hidden among us since his birth in the Neolithic period, or 10,000 years ago.
[QUOTE=Bat-shit;48033563]When the God Emperor finally emerges as the ruler of humanity.
You know, the guy who has remained hidden among us since his birth in the Neolithic period, or 10,000 years ago.[/QUOTE]
You know hes referring to [url=http://img.wonderhowto.com/img/70/05/63482194783466/0/real-life-star-wars-hover-bike-could-be-future-personal-transportation.w654.jpg]Star Wars[/url], right?
[QUOTE=fishyfish777;48033219]
Furthermore, hasn't this sort of concept already been tested before anyway?
[t]https://howthingsfly.si.edu/sites/default/files/image-large/19610070000b_lg.jpg[/t][/QUOTE]
yeah I mean if people couldn't figure shit out in the 40's why are we even trying now
It's been so long since I last heard of them. I really hope this to be a thing in the near future
[QUOTE=fishyfish777;48033219]Hoverbikes are undoubtedly cool, but what's the military application of a vehicle that's louder, has far less fuel economy, carries less, is less maneuverable, slower, and less reliable than a motorcycle while not carrying any armament?
Sure, it'd be better in excessively muddy or sandy terrain, but one of these does that too.
[t]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-725-0184-22,_Russland,_Soldaten_auf_Kettenkrad.jpg[/t]
Furthermore, hasn't this sort of concept already been tested before anyway?
[t]https://howthingsfly.si.edu/sites/default/files/image-large/19610070000b_lg.jpg[/][/QUOTE]
Well. A few industries, including military use hovercrafts;
[T]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cf/LCAC_19970620.jpg[/t]
[T]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/Zapad-2009_military_exercises.jpg[/t]
So there's probably some strategic niche for this thing.
I'm also curious, since this doesn't create lift like a hovercraft. But more like a helicopter, that means it can go as high as a helicopter. Although it might not be able to overcome the out of ground effect. I guess we'll just have to see.
Definitely not the first time that they've tried this. What's old is new again
[t]http://36.media.tumblr.com/791ec3a683949e56588c0c2328b5fbf7/tumblr_ni3d6wADr01tfbj78o1_1280.jpg[/t][t]https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6031/6313184046_5ca6cc8bae_o_d.jpg[/t]
[url]http://www.transportation.army.mil/museum/transportation%20museum/airgeep.htm[/url]
[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SERvwWALOM[/media]
[QUOTE=latin_geek;48033448]What, why. Why not just stick cameras to the thing without slapping a human-size puppet on it?[/QUOTE]
Bad guys might shoot at it maybe? If they see a drone with nothing remotely human on it, they might hide I suppose. With something that totally looks like it's human (but it isn't, gotcha fuckers) they might shoot at it and give away their position.
Assuming the bad guys are fucking morons.
[QUOTE=fishyfish777;48033219]Hoverbikes are undoubtedly cool, but what's the military application of a vehicle that's louder, has far less fuel economy, carries less, is less maneuverable, slower, and less reliable than a motorcycle while not carrying any armament?
Sure, it'd be better in excessively muddy or sandy terrain, but one of these does that too.
[t]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-725-0184-22,_Russland,_Soldaten_auf_Kettenkrad.jpg[/t]
Furthermore, hasn't this sort of concept already been tested before anyway?
[t]https://howthingsfly.si.edu/sites/default/files/image-large/19610070000b_lg.jpg[/t][/QUOTE]
Batteries and power were one of the major limiting factors with those devices, now that we have smaller, lighter, and more powerful batteries they are much more feasible.
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