Wanna fly this Laser-powered kite...oops...aircraft?
Posted By: Vikas Shekhawat | Mar 9 2006
Aeronautical engineer Professor Nobuki Kawashima and his research team at the Kinki University has developed an unmanned aircraft powered by a ground-based laser. They successfully demonstrated the aircraft at the Osaka Dome and are hopeful to utilize it in gathering information during disasters and even war.
laser powered aircraft
The kite like aircraft weighs just 800 grams and measures 78 cm (30 in.) long. When struck by laser, the beams are gathered by a disc-shaped solar panel attached underneath that powers the propeller. The power utilization shifts automatically to laser once the aircraft reach an altitude of 50 meters or 165 feet.
The kite shape easily deceives the observers during stealth surveillance missions.
Via: gizmonews
