Posted on Jan 3, 2019
British Army is Testing a Glider Drone Which Could Transport Supplies | Digital Trends
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This is "ST50_edit" by Animal Dynamics on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.
Thank you, my friend CW5 Jack Cardwell for making us aware that the British Army is currently testing out an unorthodox glider-based Stork drone that could one day be used to resupply troops or deliver humanitarian aid.
https://vimeo.com/280774268
Background on the U.K.-based company called Animal Dynamics Stork
"Animal Dynamics is developing a range of unmanned aerial delivery vehicles called Stork, based on powered paraglider wing technology. The current roadmap includes a range of vehicles:
ST 50 capable of carrying 30 kg and ST 150, capable of carrying 100kg. Further vehicles are planned, capable of carrying loads up to 3000kg.
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Each system comprises a canopy, a vehicle with landing gear and a power unit. The 50kg vehicle is powered by an electric motor. The larger vehicles are powered by internal combustion engines. Each unit has an autonomous guidance system, comms, and camera.
KEY ADVANTAGES
Short take-off and landing capability
Autonomous guidance and navigation in both GPS and GPS-denied environments
Stealthy: low noise and radar signature, and can glide silently to target
Long endurance, high efficiency, long range ST150 range over 100km; ST1800 over 300km
Low cost: the cost of the vehicle per kg delivery capacity is <1/10th of the capital cost of all other delivery systems; running costs are lower still
Robust: the canopy is damage tolerant, and the vehicle has a graceful failsoft mode, gliding to a gentle landing in the rare event of catastrophic engine or systems failures
The vehicle itself packs down small, and is easy to transport on a standard NATO pallet
Vehicle mass between 20% and 30% of the potential payload mass.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen PO1 H Gene Lawrence PO2 Kevin Parker CPT Scott Sharon SSG William Jones SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Maj Marty Hogan SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL LTC Greg Henning LTC Jeff Shearer CWO3 Dennis M. PO3 Bob McCord SGT (Join to see)
https://vimeo.com/280774268
Background on the U.K.-based company called Animal Dynamics Stork
"Animal Dynamics is developing a range of unmanned aerial delivery vehicles called Stork, based on powered paraglider wing technology. The current roadmap includes a range of vehicles:
ST 50 capable of carrying 30 kg and ST 150, capable of carrying 100kg. Further vehicles are planned, capable of carrying loads up to 3000kg.
SYSTEM DESCRIPTION
Each system comprises a canopy, a vehicle with landing gear and a power unit. The 50kg vehicle is powered by an electric motor. The larger vehicles are powered by internal combustion engines. Each unit has an autonomous guidance system, comms, and camera.
KEY ADVANTAGES
Short take-off and landing capability
Autonomous guidance and navigation in both GPS and GPS-denied environments
Stealthy: low noise and radar signature, and can glide silently to target
Long endurance, high efficiency, long range ST150 range over 100km; ST1800 over 300km
Low cost: the cost of the vehicle per kg delivery capacity is <1/10th of the capital cost of all other delivery systems; running costs are lower still
Robust: the canopy is damage tolerant, and the vehicle has a graceful failsoft mode, gliding to a gentle landing in the rare event of catastrophic engine or systems failures
The vehicle itself packs down small, and is easy to transport on a standard NATO pallet
Vehicle mass between 20% and 30% of the potential payload mass.
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen PO1 H Gene Lawrence PO2 Kevin Parker CPT Scott Sharon SSG William Jones SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. "Bill" Price Maj Marty Hogan SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL LTC Greg Henning LTC Jeff Shearer CWO3 Dennis M. PO3 Bob McCord SGT (Join to see)
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