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Thanks. Sometimes I miss the obvious.
Yes. I was alluding to N2S2 testing a year ago. This is the first vid I have seen. It appears that the DOD finally allowed WSGI to put the video up.
And this on the Argus MTS page:
"WSGI has designed a small 2 man deployable aerostat in response to requests from oil exploration and services companies."
Keep up the good work Glenn and co.
This too:
"WSGI has designed and constructed an initial model of the SkySat which is a 127-foot long airship which has been designed for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance). This classic design, with a multi-chamber lifting gas management system, provides a robust platform for a wide range of electronics suite applications."
There are pics too
My appologies if this is old news. I think there is a new Argus video on the website. It is dated Jan 2012 but claims it is "new." It does look like we are in free flight in the desert!
http://www.wsgi.com/video20120130/
BBB, I feel a little silly. I finally had a chance to sit down and read the entire bill. Yep, all of the one and a half pages of it! Usually these things are much longer winded.
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/0092/BillText/Filed/PDF
Please notice the faulty definition of "drone" in section 1(2)(a)(2). It appears that LTA is the loophole for police. Good for BIB/Argus business in the future!
And it does not deal with private drone use at all. Yep, my HOA might be comming after my vegtible garden (if the FAA ever gets thier act together).
update: Im posting the criminal justice committee amendments that were approved.
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/0092/Amendment/836310/PDF
http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2013/0092/Amendment/123408/PDF
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/01/14/columbia-firm-wins-156-million-afghan-blimp-contra.aspx
I think the Army is tired of paying out $$ for parts and spares of an inferior product. Hopefully all of this will be diverted our way.
I am going to post some new to us info from the new site:
altitude up to 2k LOS coverage up to 30 mi
cell and VHF/UHF COMs packages available
tether consits of an IP-based communications bundle for data transmission and supplying power
30 min of flight time after being hit with small arms fire
if thther is cut, on board flight termination system deflates it
COMS integration with additional UAVs
communications relay and intercept capability
polution and radiation monitoring
Ad-hoc cellular/WIFI
BBB, I agree the devil is in the detail. When I get a chance to read the whole thing I will report back. From what I have heard, the main distinctions will end up being public v. private use. By that I mean the public servents (police) v. private citizens. Not sure if I would be restricted from flying and filming in my own back yard.
Intersting new bill proposed in the Florida legislature.
http://tampa.cbslocal.com/2013/01/15/fla-senate-panel-votes-to-ban-spying-with-drones/
I have not had time to read the actual bill. I am not sure if it would be problematic in the push for the new FAA drone testing station at the cape.
I've see that video before. The pilot does have great control, but a training video?
IMO, each of these videos the FAA views pushes the new regs back by 6 mo.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/14/china-usa-satellites-idUSL2N0AJ10620130114
I think the need for a rapidly deployable military communications platform still exists.
Indy, I am very familiar with simulators. I live in the middle of one of the largest concentrations of simulator companies in the US (probably the largest). I just think it would be fun, thats all.
Acumen, I believe that the launch and recovery capabilities are very important to maintian the rapidly deployable selling feature. Obviously, this video contains the teather to avoid getting slapped by the FAA. In free flight there would no silly runners under the Argus. Although it might be funny to see from the simulated ISR. And this board has analyzed the motors as well as alternative propulsion systems for the Argus and hybrid ships. You should probably catch up on that reading. I highly doubt that we would have permission to put the latest and greatest propulsion vids on the web.
How cool would it be if we could fly an Argus!
http://flyawaysimulation.com/downloads/files/6191/fsx-uss-macon-zrs-5-airship/
Someone needs to come up with an Argus simulator program for this platform.
This guy has a very interesting (costly) idea.
Indy, I know it is old news but I just came across the Foxhunt program. I am not sure if they are looking for a fixed wing or LTA mothership. There is no reason the Argus cannot be the mothership for this type of program. It would be easily convertable to LMAMS, IMO.
"It's part of a grander vision outlined by the Air Force Research Laboratory to include the air launch, command-and-control and airborne recovery of unmanned aerial systems – all from an airborne mothership."
Enough said. I was looking for Waldo and followed the trail. Thank you for pushing your borders.
I cannot remember if anyone posted this yet:
http://trademarks.justia.com/856/68/blimp-in-a-box-85668429.html
BYW:
http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/process/update/oa.jsp
I am not sure what to think of the mixed information provided. The article focuses on the old lift bag pics and shape, but discussed the DOD test using the new lift bag and ISR abilities. It is unclear if the specs mentioned 48 @ 700 refer to the new or old bag.
Thank you Nil. Good catch. In that part of the world, who knows.
Indy, I went back over the BIB pictures. I understand if you cannot comment. But it would be helpfull if you could tell me if I am barking up the right tree.
I think I am missing something, or the picutes are missing something (in particular the shots of the liftbag in the air). Obviously, the DOD will only allow us to put out approved info/pics.
In one of the pics I did see evidence of photoshop or other editing software used. For the benefit of everyone involved, I did not try to reverse engineer. What was changed was sloppy but it had nothing to do with the test (it looks like a privacy issue). It makes me wonder about what else might have been changed with much more care. I will look harder when I have time.
I wonder if we will ever be able to mini these cool weapons for Argus use.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20944726
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-18630622
another potential customer
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/un-seeks-drones-for-peacekeeping-missions/2013/01/08/39575660-599e-11e2-88d0-c4cf65c3ad15_print.html
Even if they do not buy our products, I think it will encourage some African nations to push for parody with a low cost alternative, BIB or Argus.
This fits in line with the Nigeria leads.
Your statements make me want to go back over the photos again using my HD monitor
It looks like the opening for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering is still vacant. Lets hope the next person to fill this post appreciates the potential.
You are correct. Pelican is cargo/large payload. What you have been saying about the gov's obsession with payload is finally sinking in. Someone high up is just convinced that 100 kilo of bateries and 50 kilo of ISR is required to do anything.
Thank you, Mide. It was just a bad joke. She does like to wear her "bling." Thats all.
This is a private craft. Just imagine when EPA, FBI, ATF or others get a BIB and, in the future, Argus.
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/01/01/Private-Spy-Drone-Images-Lead-to-Criminal-Indictments
If I had to guess, it is probably DE who reads the board and reports back to GE and BJ.
I had a double post so I am going to edit this into something else...
Anyone see superman?
http://ktla.com/2013/01/03/4superman4-spotted-flying-above-socal/
its a MAV
Man of steel Arial Vehicle
Actually, it looks like it may have some LTA qualities as well.
I have not had a chance to look up Sumaria yet. You already sent me a link to Prioria. Fun stuff. I forgot to mention, when you meet BJ, don't forget your sunglasses. .
Be-Real... You look too far into my post. I did not mean to suggest GE or BJ were leaving. I have no knowledge of such actions or plans. Yes, many people confuse the meaning of Yin/Yang (or think that they must be diametrically opposed). I believed from Indy's travels he would know what I meant by the reference (not just the Wiki version).
My R/C - MAV knowledge was stunted about pre-teen level (until my new gyro hilo toy). I believe I disclosed that I have followed this company for a few years, but not for the tech. I have started looking at both MAV and LTA/WSGI tech recently for fun and with infant eyes. I was researching both at the same time and the antenna question popped in my head. I was curious about other makers because Stani would never sell me one (if I wanted one for some reason ).
As for the meet with GE, it sounds like it went well. Lets just say that I wish only the best for him and BJ. I know they have been through alot with this mess. Im glad you read my yin/yang post before it was removed. I know you understand the real meaning of that so I hope my observation skills are correct.
I am going to look more into your statements on miniaturization and likely come back to you with some questions. Not locking you up with a NDA was a mistake. As for the toy, it only works indoors and the motors emit a frequency that acts like a dog whistle. Crashes are a minimum. Despite what you may think, I would put money on the fact that I am one of the youngest posters on this board.
Has that allways been the case? Anyone know?
They cannot be the only game in town?
I was doing research for my DIY MAV. Does anyone with GTC products know what antenna it uses for the simplex transmition? I found a simplex antenna on Globalstar (1618 MHz) that claims to be "one of a kind." Just curious.
I did not mean to send others down this path. My 2Li2O thought was just a stab in the dark. Indy, I spent some time this morning and could not find the smoking gun linking it to Dynalene but it does seem like a logical use. The new Dynalene FC is advertised as "primarily used for cooling PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cell stacks and liquid cooled computers."
From what I have read, 2Li2O can take different forms using liquid or solid electrolites (inorganic ceramics and organic polymers). www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/2/3/367/pdf
Dynalene, Inc. is the owner of some really cool patents. Most of them were filed 2000-2011 and just started being published in 2010. The FC nanotech example is here: http://www.osti.gov/bridge/servlets/purl/1031717/1031717.pdf
Notice that the development came in part from DOE $:
"DOE SBIR Phase I and Phase II funding" DE-FG02-04ER83884
What about Li-air? Is there enough oxygen at altitude? Could be the reason for the fire (if you don't believe the conspiracy theory they set it on fire once it crashed).
Interesting recent timeline...
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/24/in-scotland-researchers-claim-a-breakthrough-in-lithium-air-battery-technology/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57417588-76/ibm-speeds-push-for-500-mile-ev-battery/
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/other/display/20121010100731_MIT_Begins_In_Depth_Exploration_of_Lithium_Air_Battery_Technology.html
Im sure DARPA, SkunkWorks, etc., are ahead of these guys.
BTW, I think I talk too much about my proposed projects in the home. My father-in-law got me a silly gyroscopic R/C copter for xmas. I know my wife was involved and this is an attempt to placate me so I don't use all of my free time builing my MAV. Only problem is payload is only a few grams (one of the first things I tested).
Thanks for the information and your opinions. It is allways good to know the competition.
Thanks. I know who HW is (but have not heard his voice in a while). I was curious about the group. Im local. There is a guy nicknamed "the voice" locally. Not sure who he is but I used him indirectly on a project. From the audio, I dont know if it was the same guy.
I thought house approved it first. I could be wrong.