Military Drones Go Micro
Gizmodo posted a link to a video today that shows simulated footage of the Air Force's MAVs, or Micro Air Vehicles, doing some really cool things. There is no live footage, and all the graphics are computer generated, but the proposed capabilities of these MAVs show real promise.
They are essentially bird-sized drones that can carry out a variety of activities in a multitude of situations. They can be used both for surveillance and for combat, depending on how they are outfitted and the situation. An interesting aspect of the MAVs is that they have been designed to use flapping wings to be able to deal with fluctuations in wind speed and gusts, which can occur often in urban environments.
First off, they have a great advantage in their size. Being as big as a small bird allows them to blend in to their surroundings, and makes transporting them easier. The video shows them being deployed en masse from a passing plane, peppering an urban area, but they can most likely also be launched with a good toss, like a model airplane.
The video shows one model perched on a power line, in an extended surveillance mission in which it uses an optical sensor to spy on a target in a car. If and when they are manufactured, the MAVs may apparently be able to harness power from sunlight, wind, and even vibrating machinery and power lines to be able to operate for days or weeks.
Another model is shown attacking a dug-in sniper, using what seems to be some sort of explosive charge. The narrator also adds that the MAV can carry incendiary devices (for setting stuff on fire) or "incapacitating chemicals." It's also show targeting a building for a presumed attack, combing a house with other MAVs working in unison, and even looking for WMDs in some sort of freight compartment or storage area.
Check out the video below to get a better idea of how they work!
Source: Gizmodo
