Military Transformers: 20 Innovative Defense Technologies
May 15, 2012 11:00 AM Department of Defense technologies under development, from brainy microchips to battlefield transformer vehicles, promise to make the U.S. military more nimble. Here's a visual tour of 20 breakthrough ideas.
Perch And Stare
Think of Shrike as a personal drone for the commander in the field. DARPA describes Shrike as a "perch-and-stare micro air vehicle" that provides real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. It's also "man-packable," a reference to the gear that soldiers carry with them. The device's four-rotor design enables vertical take-off and landing and forward flight. Shrike is capable of high-res observation for several hours, during which it transmits data and information to a ground station. Once done, Shrike re-launches from its perch and returns home.
Credit: DARPA
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