riddler 0 #1 April 13, 2008 A new type of tiny aerial spy-camera is starting to be used by law enforcement in the U.S. The Micro Air Vehicle can hover like a helicopter, weighs on average about 10 pounds and contains camera and wireless transponders. Here is a video of the Honeywell Micro Air Vehicle that is starting to be used for border patrol, drug enforcement, and probably traffic enforcement in the near future. These are a next-generation of the Predator, that fly at lower altitude, consume fewer resources and are quite a bit smaller. My question for you pilot types - are you afraid of running into these things when flying? They're only about a foot in diameter, and can hover at 10,000 feet, making them hard to see until they are already in your props. Will we need special designators on airspace maps to let pilots know about these things? Do they have built-in radar-avoidance?Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kschilk 0 #2 April 13, 2008 Quote They're only about a foot in diameter, and can hover at 10,000 feet, making them hard to see until they are already in your props. Will we need special designators on airspace maps to let pilots know about these things? Do they have built-in radar-avoidance? Being used by law enforcement, you can bet they never even considered other airtraffic, as being a possibility....let alone, a potential issue."T'was ever thus." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #3 April 13, 2008 They probably won't be deployed at high altitudes even though they have the capability. A few hundred feet most likely. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryoder 1,400 #4 April 13, 2008 That will be so much more fun than trap-shooting! "There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #5 April 13, 2008 Probably at the altitudes they'll be used at, not "too" much of a chance. I've had numerous encounters with balloons. (Not much of a hazard but still get your attention). And birds, lots of birds! I was on a low level bombing run (back seat) and almost took a turkey buzzard head on at 400 knots... Would've been a bad day. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riddler 0 #6 April 14, 2008 Quote That will be so much more fun than trap-shooting!Devil Lol - finally a good reason to get that sniper rifle you've always wanted Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnMitchell 14 #7 April 14, 2008 Quote Quote That will be so much more fun than trap-shooting!Devil Lol - finally a good reason to get that sniper rifle you've always wanted "Just cause I wanted it" is always a good enough reason for a new firearm. That UAV looked like fun. I want one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
