On Tue, 22 Apr 2008 10:34:01 -0400, AugerIn
wrote in :

Any good links??

If you learn anything interesting, please post it.


http://www.advanced-composites.com/n...ve/zephyr-uav/
With weight restrictions being a critical element in the design of
Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs), QinetiQ's solar and battery powered
Zephyr UAV, which was designed with structural and manufacturing input
from B3 Technologies Ltd., utilised ACG's flexible project approach
and received appropriate application specific materials manufactured
to their own exacting specifications. Ultra-light glass skins were
combined with the ultra-high modulus carbon fibre to achieve stringent
structural and weight requirements. With significant previous
experience in the application of carbon composites to the manufacture
of UAVs, ACG's pre-impregnated composite materials (prepregs) were
expertly applied by B3 Technologies to the manufacture of structural
elements and other components, taking QinetiQ's lightweight (sub-30kg
[66lb]) 12metre wing span Zephyr to a platform record height and
duration during its most recent flight trials.

Founded by John Barnard, long recognised as one of the world's most
influential racing car designers, with decades of top level motor
racing experience, B3 Technologies specialises in creating the finest
components for high performance applications and embraces an immense
understanding of the capabilities and applications of advanced
composites materials. That's exactly why QinetiQ turned to B3
Technologies and made them a subcontractor for the development of
their Zephyr UAV.

Previous developments saw earlier models of the Zephyr reach a
significant height. Advances in the development of the latest variant
culminated in a flight time of 18 hours and an altitude of 36,000ft,
with a target altitude of 50,000ft well within its reach. Solar power
was used for the ascent, reverting to batteries during dusk, which
provided a further 7 hours thereafter, emphatically proving the
concept. The combination of solar panels on the upper wing surface and
rechargeable batteries is expected to allow Zephyr to be flown for
months at a time.

The application of ACG's carbon composites for the manufacture of
single piece 'D' section wing spars resulted in lighter and
structurally superior components, which contributed to an overall
weight reduction. One of many different parts B3 Technologies produced
for the UAV, and perhaps the most impressive, is the propeller. Being
extraordinarily light and almost 1 metre long, it comes out of the
mould almost perfectly balanced; such is the accuracy of B3
Technologies manufacturing method applied to ACG's prepreg materials.
QinetiQ foresees a wide range of civil, defence and security
applications for Zephyr, including surveillance, remote sensing,
communications and atmospheric sensing. The aircraft has recently been
selected as the platform for the Belgian Mercator HALE UAV system, a
remote sensing demonstrator that will be used for mapping.

http://cc.msnscache.com/cache.aspx?q...a8a&FORM=CVRE9
http://www.boeing.com/ids/news/2008/q2/080421d_nr.html
http://www.afcea.org/signal/articles...wer.asp?a=1441
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/...eleaseid=11647
Zephyr — Joint, real-time, battlefield persistent surveillance and
communications via an extended-duration, solar-powered, unmanned
aerial vehicle
Combatant Command/User Sponsor: USCENTCOM and USEUCOM
Transition Service/Agency: TBD
Project Oversight: OSD/DDR&E/AS&C
http://www.acq.osd.mil/jctd/descript.htm
Zephyr
Demonstrates a solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicle to meet urgent
operational requirements for USCENTCOM and USEUCOM. Provides low-cost
persistent surveillance and communications relay, flying continuous
operations for periods of months at a time using solar power plus
batteries for continual day/night operations. Sensors enable ground
radio communications links over hundreds of square miles and
surveillance of logistics routes and ground threats. Hand-launched UAV
requires no formal infrastructure and little manpower to operate and
provides cross-theatre benefits to all U.S. Forces.
http://www.luchtzak.be/news/boeing/