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Real saucer takes to the open air
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10/09/2007
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A British designed and built saucer shaped unmanned aerial vehicle has been demonstrated flying stably in the open air.
The result of 20 years thought and 7 years development, the 600mm prototype developed by GFS Projects in Peterborough was twice demonstrated at the “Gorillas of Tomorrow” event held at Churchill College Cambridge.
Like many of its predecessors, which date back to the end of World War II, and proved impossibly difficult to control, it depends on the Coanda effect for lift, but unlike them, is more stable to fly than a helicopter.
Other advantages include ability to be flown adjacent to buildings. Payload of the prototype is about 0.5kg. It is a member of the Team MIRA, which has been selected by the Ministry of Defence as one of six teams to receive funding for its Grand Challenge Programme. It is also of interest to farmers. For more details see the October edition of “Eureka” and www.gfsprojects.co.uk
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Author
Tom Shelley
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