NationStates Jolt Archive


'Midnight' Fighter

04-11-2003, 21:30
We are looking for partners to help us on a concept which would limit the amount of friction on the surface of an object, namely an aircraft, by creating, via nanotechnology or a simple synthesis, a new substance on the surface of the craft which would have less friction with the air than the composite materials used in the creation of the craft.

Any technologically-savvy nations and/or individuals are welcome to aid us in this endeavour.

Note: The original idea was to have nanobots create hydroxide and water molecules to create a slippery base-water solution.
04-11-2003, 21:36
hmm

try not having wings? that would reduce a lot of drag. If you're future tech, then you probably have intertial dampeners and anti-grav anyway... so just make a needle-shaped fighter, put a big engine on it, boom.

*shrugs*
04-11-2003, 21:37
hmm

try not having wings? that would reduce a lot of drag. If you're future tech, then you probably have intertial dampeners and anti-grav anyway... so just make a needle-shaped fighter, put a big engine on it, boom.

*shrugs*
04-11-2003, 22:01
OOC: I'm not future tech, I'm 2015-2030 (somewhere around there), basically, known laws of physics still apply.
04-11-2003, 22:33
you are 2015-2030 and you have NANO-TECH?
04-11-2003, 22:38
In moderate amounts, yes. Nothing too spectacular, but we can manipulate atoms in groups of five.

OOC: In JAC's technological history, we have concentrated on nanotech instead of space, beginning in approximately 1980.
imported_Sileetris
04-11-2003, 22:55
I should mention that we already have a technology with similar results already in service, but it works on a different concept. At the moment it is still very new(and not for sale) but is pretty cool:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q: What is the PFR System?

A: The PFR (Plasma Friction Reduction) system is a secondary drive component to our most advanced aircraft, the Valefor 29a. The easiest way to explain it is to compare it to the supercavitation technology now coming into use with underwater vessels. Supercavitation forms a bubble on the skin of the submarine, letting it slip thru the water much faster than before because the friction caused by the water rubbing along its hull is lessened. The PFR works in much the same way only instead of using air, it uses plasma. A stream of plasma is pushed out of the front of the aircraft, the plasma pushes the air in the same direction of the aircraft, and the aircraft passes thru the air with less resistance, since they are both moving in the same direction.

Because of technical limitations, while PFR is engaged no weapons can be fired.

PFR in action at night. Not a stealthy system, but very frightening to enemy soldiers......

http://www.sbig.com/sbwgifs/red_comet.jpg
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Just thought you'd like to know.........
04-11-2003, 22:56
While we're unable to help in designing this, we will contribute 10 million to your research.
05-11-2003, 00:07
Yes, PFR was the technology that inspired us. However, we found flaws. For example, wouldn't the plasma melt the plane?

Also, thank you Ssakura for the contribution.
Largent
05-11-2003, 00:24
you could not have wings and still be modern-tech...I do
imported_Sileetris
05-11-2003, 00:39
The plasma has a very low amount energy in it, it has just enough charge to be pushed out of a small magnetic accelerator. Oddly enough the plasma, being so 'cold', also provides a great deal of energy absorbstion, which makes energy based weapons less powerful, but that is just a side-effect.
05-11-2003, 00:45
The plasma ship thingy is future-tech, correct? Cause your posting that for a modern-tech guy...
imported_Sileetris
05-11-2003, 00:49
2015-2030 is post-modern, not future! And cold plasma is a relatively simple concept rooted within possible physics(and currently being researched).

Linkles! (http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technology/cold_plasma_000724.html)

Our cold plasma can't yet be used to cloak from radar yet, sadly, and many people would soon figure out to use the holes in radar scans to locate us anyway, so its a moot point for now......
05-11-2003, 01:00
Oh, well you beat me there. Need any donations for your research, Sileetris? If so, TG me.
Central Facehuggeria
05-11-2003, 03:51
Central Facehuggeria will donate 5 million to help fund the endevour. Also, would it be possible to magnetize the material and move by repulsing away from the planet's magnetic field? Just a suggestion.
05-11-2003, 12:32
That is an idea I worked on before, however you would need very strong magnets.
Largent
05-11-2003, 13:09
so?
06-11-2003, 00:44
So, if you had a 10 kilogram plane, you'd need a magnet with 9800N of force, plus having it horizontal/vertical (away from poles) for thrust which would increase it by up to 25%...so you'd want maybe 12,300N, which would be a big magnet, increasing the weight, increasing the necessary force, etc.
Largent
06-11-2003, 00:56
good point