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The
U.S. Air Force will soon be retesting its X-51A
WaveRider, an unmanned, supersonic ramjet-powered
demonstrator that is intended to eventually deliver
warheads and provide reconnaissance to virtually
anywhere on the planet within 30 minutes. The
shark-nosed, nearly wingless craft is designed to be
launched from underneath a B-52 bomber and ride on its
own shockwave. During the first flight in 2010, the
craft accelerated to approximately Mach 5 (nearly 3,400
mph). A second X-51A vehicle will be tested in the
spring of 2011 and may reach speeds up to Mach 6. The
WaveRider will be released at approximately 50,000 feet
over the Pacific Ocean in the Point Mugu Naval Air
Warfare Center Sea Range. The solid rocket booster will
accelerate the craft for about 30 seconds to
approximately Mach 4.5, before being jettisoned. Then
the cruiser's scramjet engine (which has virtually no
moving parts) will ignite and begin burning ethylene,
transitioning after approximately ten seconds to the
same JP-7 jet fuel once used by the SR-71 Blackbird.
(Source: U.S. Air Force) (Click below photos to
enlarge.)
DARPA Puts You in the Driver's Seat in Sub Simulation
DARPA
is offering a submarine tracking simulation/game to the
public to help the agency develop new methods and
tactics for tracking quiet submarines. DARPA's
Anti-Submarine Warfare Continous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV)
Tactics Simulator will help the agency determine what
methods and tactics are most effective in tracking
submarines. The simulation software includes actual
evasion techniques used by submarines, challenging
players to track them successfully. The public can
download the game at
https://actuv.darpa.mil.
VIDEO: Navy Disables Boat With Laser Beam
The
US Navy, along with industry partner Northrop Grumman,
took another step towards the future by successfully
disabling a small target vessel using a high-energy
laser mounted on the deck of the former USS Paul Foster.
More information at the
Office of Naval Research website.
US Army Deploying Individual Gunshot Detector Systems in
Afghanistan
US
Soldiers serving in Afghanistan will soon be receiving
gunshot detection systems that detect the supersonic
sound waves from enemy gunfire and alerts Soldiers to
the location and distance of the gunfire. The Individual
Gunshot Detectors, made by QinetiQ North America, are
about the size of a deck of cards. The system consists
of four acoustic sensors and a small display screen that
attaches to body armor. The Army plans to integrate the
system into its Nett Warrior and Land Warrior systems.
(Source: PEO Soldier)
DARPA Kicks Off Robot Mobility Program
DARPA's
Maximum Mobility and Manipulation (M3) program is
seeking to create significant advances in robot mobility
and manipulation. Compared
to humans and animals, the current mobility and
manipulation capabilities of robots are rudimentary at
best. But if these limitations were overcome, robots
could better assist warfighters across a greater range of missions.
If successful, the program could produce a new
generation of robots that can move more like humans and
animals.
DARPA
is offering a submarine tracking simulation/game to the
public to help the agency develop new methods and
tactics for tracking quiet submarines. DARPA's
Anti-Submarine Warfare Continous Trail Unmanned Vessel (ACTUV)
Tactics Simulator will help the agency determine what
methods and tactics are most effective in tracking
submarines. The simulation software includes actual
evasion techniques used by submarines, challenging
players to track them successfully. The public can
download the game at 
US
Soldiers serving in Afghanistan will soon be receiving
gunshot detection systems that detect the supersonic
sound waves from enemy gunfire and alerts Soldiers to
the location and distance of the gunfire. The Individual
Gunshot Detectors, made by QinetiQ North America, are
about the size of a deck of cards. The system consists
of four acoustic sensors and a small display screen that
attaches to body armor. The Army plans to integrate the
system into its Nett Warrior and Land Warrior systems.
(Source: PEO Soldier)
One Rough Man: A Pike Logan Thriller
Military
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