Military looking for flying Humvee


The Look Out:
The high-tech researchers at the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)  say they're reviewing two "feasible" designs for a flying Humvee vehicle called the "Transformer."
The tank-like machine is supposed to be able to take off and land vertically. The plan is for it to be operated by a person without flight training--or by no one at all, Aviation Week reports. AAI and Lockheed Martin have each submitted potential designs, in tandem with Piasecki Aircraft. AAI's prototype would weigh 7,500 pounds and combine traditional plane wings with a helicopter rotor on top. Lockheed Martin's design, above, is 500 pounds lighter.
 If DARPA chooses one or both of the designs, the companies will submit a prototype Transformer by 2015.
...
The design would avoid IEDs, but would still be vulnerable to RPG like helicopters now are.  DARPA needs to ask for a design to defeat the RPG.  Perhaps a protective screen of metel shutters that can be opened or closed or an active defense system like the Israelis have for their tanks.
 

Comments

  1. commoncents7:32 PM

    GREAT POST! Thanks for putting this up!!

    Steve
    Common Cents
    http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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