The ideal of the flying platform has been around for a while, but DARPA is seeing to the construction of an aircraft that comes close to that concept. Project Vulture (as in circling the skies watching for something to swoop down on?) is to operate in the relatively low altitude of the stratosphere, and is planned to perform intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and communication missions. 3 contractors have been pegged by DARPA, Boeing, Lockheed, and Aurora Flight Sciences, to take the concept to something tangible. So far only Aurora has put forth a concept design, but others are forthcoming.
The unmanned aircraft will store solar energy for nighttime use, and it is planned to have a 1000 pound cargo capacity. Also, the plane, dubbed Odysseus, will be able to adjust its wings into a modified Z configuration in order to capture the most sunlight for energy. The plane is designed to stay aloft for five years at a time (another famous five year mission ). As if that was not a tall enough order, the plane must also have the capability to split into three different planes of 50 meters, obviously for landing purposes. When assembled, the wing span of Odysseus will be longer than three Boeing 767s. According to Aurora, additional use of such a plane could be “global climate change research, weather monitoring, and regional-scale telecommunications".
Outside of the above mentioned applications, I have an ideal for using such a wonderful conept. How does a green penthouse in the sky sound? An ultralight could be used as a taxi, and it could land right here on the sand. Although I doubt if UPS or Fedex deliveries would be very affordable.
Aloha from the Beach,
greg
