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Flapping NAV Performs Controlled Hovering Flight

Posted by timothy on from the ornithopters-are-just-hovering-in-the-wings dept.

An anonymous reader writes "AeroVironment, Inc. was awarded a Phase II contract extension in April from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to design and build a flying prototype for the Nano Air Vehicle (NAV) program. As part of this program AV has accomplished a technical milestone never before achieved: the controlled hovering flight of an air vehicle system with two flapping wings (video) that carries its own energy source and uses only the flapping wings for propulsion and control. Two wings for propulsion and control, nothing else."

6 of 128 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Why the hell would you do that? by dotancohen · · Score: 2, Insightful

    People can't drive cars so now we give the same people flying cars...

    Flying cars? It's a nano flying vehicle, not a nanny flying vehicle.

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  2. So now all they need is flying brooms by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    and DARPA can play Quidditch.

  3. Re:wind gusts (argh... formatting) by maxume · · Score: 2, Insightful

    It depends on what withstand means. I've watched lots of dragonflies (and other insects) fly around in stronger winds than that, gusts too. If they mean stay in the air and mostly on course, it should at least be possible, if they mean stay in one place, probably not.

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    Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
  4. Re:Advantages vs. traditional rotating wing? by evilviper · · Score: 2, Insightful

    There aren't biological structures that can rotate infinitely, because biological mechanisms require plumbing (blood, etc.) and muscle attach points on both halves of the rotating structure.

    You need to take a good long look at your own shoulders...

    No, not really a free-rotating structure, but more than close enough to be re-purposed into driving a rotor or propeller.

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  5. Re:Advantages vs. traditional rotating wing? by UncleTogie · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm not one to throw out the word "impossible" very quickly, since people who have used that word have been proven wrong so many times in the past. However, I read an argument back in...Jr. High?...that claimed that a truly rotational structure on a biological organism was at the very least highly improbable. There aren't biological structures that can rotate infinitely, because biological mechanisms require plumbing (blood, etc.) and muscle attach points on both halves of the rotating structure.

    How far down the size scale are you looking?

    Take a peek at this and see if it's what you're thinking of.

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  6. Re:Advantages vs. traditional rotating wing? by socceroos · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Yeah, with that wing span it has more chance of winning the lottery than gliding...