Secret Projects Flying Saucer Aircraft - Bill Rose and Tony

Page 160 of 180

Page 160 of 180
Secret Projects Flying Saucer Aircraft - Bill Rose and Tony

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Above: Wind tunnel test model of the Honeywell Kestrel OAV, built by engineering subcontractor Techsburg. Techsburg Alnwe laf: Haren 1aav Above: Wind tunnel test model of the Honeywell Kestrel OAV, built by engineering subcontractor Techsburg. Techsburg Above left: Honeywell ducted fan Class 1 OAV prototype. DARPA Lower left: Allied Aerospace iSTAR VTOL ducted-fan UAV showing camera and supports/vanes. Allied Aerospace four ducted fans and is intended to have full VTOL capability, the ability to cruise at 350mph (563km/h), a ceiling of 30,000ft (9,144m) and an unrefuelled range of 900 miles (1,448km). Moller International claims to have spent $100 million developing the Skycar and, according to company reports in 2004, there were one hundred reservations for FAA-certified models. Recent estimates suggest a price tag of about $1 million per copy. However, despite all the hype sur- rounding this project this aircraft has yet to attain level flight, leading critics to doubt the company’s honesty about the Skycar. On 19th February 2003 the US Securities And Exchange Commission filed a settled fraud action against Paul Moller and Moller International. This was concerned with the way that approximately $5.1 million had been raised to finance Skycar from more than five hundred investors nationwide. It resulted in each defendant agreeing to a settlement, which included a permanent injunction and a civil penalty of $50,000. Organic Platforms During 1997 DARPA launched a $35 million project to develop various ideas for Micro Aer- ial Vehicles (MAV). DARPA was seeking a _ low-cost micro-drone with dimensions not Organic Platforms During 1997 DARPA launched a $35 million project to develop various ideas for Micro Aer- ial Vehicles (MAV). DARPA was seeking a low-cost micro-drone with dimensions not 158 Secret Projects: Flying Saucer Aircraft