 |
Cormorant Submarine/Sea Launched MPUAV
DARPA's Cormorant Submarine/Sea-Launched and Recovered Multi-Purpose Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MPUAV) is a unique concept vehicle intended to extend the capabilities of both submarines and surface ships.
(Cormorant Multi-Purpose Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)
The MPUAV concept involves the immersible vehicles housed and serviced in the launch tubes of cruise missile submarines. Released from the tubes, the MPUAVs would float at the surface until sent aloft by two Tomohawk solid rocket boosters. The turbofan engine MPUAVs would return to a designated recovery point, splash down and power down to wait for retrieval. Submarines would launch a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to snag the MPUAV and haul it back into a launch tube, where it could be docked and retracted.
At present, the program is testing out critical technical aspects of the concept. Key experiments include submerged docking tests of a vehicle mock-up, testing of splashdown testing of structural loads and testing of the turbofan engine.
Fans of the UFO television series produced in Britain in 1969/1970 may recall the Skydiver, a sea-launched flying machine. I've never seen this series; read this UFO series description for more information; it sounds like it would be worth investigating.
(Skydiver at sea)
Fans of the sixties series Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea will of course recall the flying sub, which launched from a small bay on the underside of the submarine Seaview. It would power to the surface, and take off after building up a bit of speed. Take a look at the Subjugator, a remote-controlled vehicle built by students for the 2004 International Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Competition; it was modeled on the flying sub.
Read more at Cormorant Submarine/Sea-Launched & Recovered Multi-Purpose Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MPUAV) program page at DARPA; thanks to Winchell Chung for contributing the tip and pix for this article.
Scroll down for more stories in the same category. (Story submitted 12/29/2005)
Follow this kind of news @Technovelgy.| Email | RSS | Blog It | Stumble | del.icio.us | Digg | Reddit |
Would
you like to contribute a story tip?
It's easy:
Get the URL of the story, and the related sf author, and add
it here.
Comment/Join discussion ( 3 )
Related News Stories - (" Vehcile ")
Cormorant Submarine/Sea Launched MPUAV
The Cormorant submarine and sea launched vehicle concept may remind you of science fiction glories past.
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
Current News
AirRobot Micro-UAV 'Fairies' In Shakespeare Play
At least they were not the 'rude mechanicals'.
Paralysis Ray Uses Photocontrolled Molecular Switch
Gerry was dubious. She had seen abortive attempts at paralysis rays before.
Brine Wells May Swallow Towns
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of the Quadraturin essence in 1 cup of water.
Will In-Vitro Meat Change Our Lives?
ChickieNobs, anyone?
Walky iPhone Finger Gesture Robot Controller
Let your fingers - uh - your robot do the walking. And hopping.
OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown Foils Carjacker
Better than a car chase.
Robot Martial Arts Videos
Robo-Shiko!
Interactive TV Patent From Sony
Can you dance faster than the White Clown?
Smart Contact Lens With Power Harvesting Circuits
Smart contacts with VR connections.
'Significant Amount' Of Lunar Water Found
Droogs! There's water ice on the moon!
FOXP2 Tweak Yields Planet Of The Apes?
Get your filthy words off me, you damn dirty ape!
Lev, Theremin-Playing Robot
Patsy Cline classic played by robot.
XT-1 Micro Mouse With Blazing Speed
These are fully autonomouse robots.
Escape Pods, Refuge Of ISS Astronauts From Space Junk
Who first thought about escape pods?
Steerable Bowling Ball Is A Cheesy Spherical Robot
Once the province of geeks, now in bowling alleys.
Bio-Mechanics And Micro-Robotic Flight
Micro air vehicles and insect flight.
