Video: Pentagon's Hummingbird Drone Takes Flight

News Type: Event — Seeded on Sat Jul 4, 2009 2:51 PM EDT

Article Source: Wired News

technology, drone, hummingbird-drone, military-drone

Military-backed researchers have built a tiny drone that looks and flies like a hummingbird, flapping its little robotic wings to stay in the air. So far, the mock bird, built for Pentagon mad-science division Darpa, has only stayed aloft for 20 seconds at a time. But that short flight was enough to show the potential of a whole new class of miniature spies, inspired by nature. Darpa just handed AeroVironment, makers of the winged "nano air vehicle," another $2.1 million to build a hummingbot 2.0.

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3.9

2.6

{"commentId":8025426,"authorDomain":"luckydog"}

luckydog

One more thing for terrorists to fear...

{"commentId":8025426,"threadId":"619332","contentId":"2997290","authorDomain":"luckydog"}

1 vote

#1 - Sat Jul 4, 2009 2:53 PM EDT

{"commentId":8025843,"authorDomain":"eric-albert"}

Eric Albert

Or one more for the world to fear the fascist State policies of American empire. Swat those things, if they are used to promote Despotism, tyranny, occupation, murder.

{"commentId":8025843,"threadId":"619332","contentId":"2997290","authorDomain":"eric-albert"}

2 votes

#2 - Sat Jul 4, 2009 3:24 PM EDT

{"commentId":8026058,"authorDomain":"luckydog"}

luckydog

Ultimately I suppose, a countermeasure would be developed such as a predator drone that would seek out and destroy primary drones.

{"commentId":8026058,"threadId":"619332","contentId":"2997290","authorDomain":"luckydog"}

2 votes

#3 - Sat Jul 4, 2009 3:42 PM EDT

{"commentId":8026726,"authorDomain":"boofat1"}

RKB123

Drones are useful in many ways, not the least their ability to pinpoint and lock in to a known target and guide precision-guided munitions that not only take out the target, but help reduce the impact on innocents.

The advancement this hummingbird drone takes in size is remarkable and commendable.

{"commentId":8026726,"threadId":"619332","contentId":"2997290","authorDomain":"boofat1"}

2 votes

#4 - Sat Jul 4, 2009 4:39 PM EDT

{"commentId":8027434,"authorDomain":"mightyblogger"}

Pacific Northwest Blogger

Just wait till local law enforcement start asking for these... 1984 here we come. :p

Seriously though, 20 seconds total flight time.
They have loads of work to do...

{"commentId":8027434,"threadId":"619332","contentId":"2997290","authorDomain":"mightyblogger"}

1 vote

#5 - Sat Jul 4, 2009 5:30 PM EDT

{"commentId":8027556,"authorDomain":"eric24"}

Simplistic Reality

Sweet!

{"commentId":8027556,"threadId":"619332","contentId":"2997290","authorDomain":"eric24"}

2 votes

#6 - Sat Jul 4, 2009 5:39 PM EDT

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LUCKYDOG

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Video: Pentagon's Hummingbird Drone Takes Flight

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