NationStates Jolt Archive

So, I just saw this on the news, and have been unable to scour up a link for it, but apparently Canada is using the latest technology in Afghanistan for unmanned spyplanes... it involves launching it with a catapult.
Yeah.
So, unlike the US spyplanes, they don't need a runway. They just cart ye olde catapult along wherever they're going, and launch the plane, going from 0 to 100 mph in a quarter of a second.
It lands using a parachute and big cushions underneath it.
Anyway, I just thought this looked really cool, and thought I'd share it. :)

Please please please find a link. Canada invented sometihng other than maple syrup? This is a momentus day
(joking canadians, don't eat me)

I wonder if fancy-shmancy glider places use that instead of toe planes or trucks.

Lets hope the next generation of Canadian planes can shoot down a weather balloon.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/163652.stm

Please please please find a link. Canada invented sometihng other than maple syrup? This is a momentus day
(joking canadians, don't eat me)

LOL Hey, we've got the Canadarm on the American space shuttles too. :P Plus they've got a newer second generation arm for the ISS. We're a busy bunch of inventors up here in the frozen north. ;)

That's awesome. Canada once again makes something really cool and wierd.

Lets hope the next generation of Canadian planes can shoot down a weather balloon.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/163652.stm

You know, when I was younger I started to write a story about giant mutant weather balloons... they ate people.

So, unlike the US spyplanes, they don't need a runway. They just cart ye olde catapult along wherever they're going, and launch the plane, going from 0 to 100 mph in a quarter of a second
Reminds me of this small truck I saw in a sci-fi that could extend a small guiderail and launch a fighter along it

You know, when I was younger I started to write a story about giant mutant weather balloons... they ate people.
That couldn't be destroyed and landed in my anatomy?

Reminds me of this small truck I saw in a sci-fi that could extend a small guiderail and launch a fighter along it

All our little remote spyplane needs is some guns, and we'll be there. ;)

That couldn't be destroyed and landed in my anatomy?

Who knows? I don't think I ever got past the extistence of the giant weather balloons.

I've seen news footage of British Marines hand-launching 1 metre wingspan UAVs which they just snap together and control using something akin to a laptop. The future is probably in that direction.

Yeah - we got some of those as well:

http://www.emt-penzberg.de/index.php?id=25&L=1
Check out the EMT X-13 and Aladin as well (under Gallery...)

http://www.emt-penzberg.de/fileadmin/images/gallerie/04.jpg
Luna in Afghanistan