NASA Puts Together Ground Testing for X-48B Blended Wing Body Concept

NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base in California is all set, with two steadfast 21-foot wingspan models, for ground testing of the X-48B Blended Wing Body (BWB) by early 2008, where it will go through ground testing to certify its engine- and fuel-system integrity, battery endurance, telemetry link communication, flight-control software, and low- and high-speed taxiing characteristics as well.
The purpose behind the trial is to search and certify the structural, aerodynamic and operational advantages of the BWB concept. Sensing the potential of the aircraft, U.S. Air Force has designated, the prospect military aircraft, with X-48B. Three turbojet engines of the X-48B will accede to a flight about 120 knots and 10,000 feet in altitude during flight testing.
To quote Norm Princen, Boeing Phantom Works chief engineer for the X-48B program,
Earlier wind-tunnel testing and the upcoming flight testing are focused on learning more about the BWB’s low-speed flight-control characteristics, especially during takeoffs and landings. Knowing how accurately our models predict these characteristics is an important step in the further development of this concept.
Via: gizmag

CV-22 Ospreys Makes Its Debut with Special Forces

The United States Special Forces have been well known for its best equipments and latest warfare.
CV-22 Ospreys will soon join the list. The Air Force’s newest addition, the CV-22 Osprey, has been in the limelight since its arrival in March. What makes the CV-22 so unique is something no other aircraft in the world can do. Its tiltrotor capability allows the aircraft to travel long distances at speeds similar to a C-130, but take off and land like a helicopter. This capability of this aircraft makes it the best suited for adverse conditions like landing on mountains or anywhere it finds a dry spot. The aircraft can also travel long distances without need of refueling.Bell-Boeing will provide performance-based support for the first nine production CV-22s for aircraft maintenance, reliability, supply and repairs, technical data and interactive electronic technical manuals, engineering, information technology, field service and logistics support.As the Osprey enters the force in the years ahead, the Forces plans to trim their weapon program to maintain a steady economy of 3% defense spending.
Via: gizmag

Boeing 747-400F Airborne Laser Aircraft to Make Star Wars Fantasy a Reality

US Air Force has some of the best planes with latest technology installed. The U.S. Missile Defense Agency’s modified Boeing 747-400F will add up to the list very soon.
The aircraft is an airborne laser aircraft designed to destroy enemy missiles. The craft will be of immense use for the air force as the aircraft has a laser weapon system installed in it, which is capable of detecting, tracking and destroying ballistic missiles in their boost fight phase and is hence capable of changing the whole course of war.
via: physorg

Virtually Undetectable Stealth Radar System Sees Through Walls

Technology has seized everything tangible or intangible that surrounds us; alarm clocks rule our sleep, wheels make us move, pills fulfill our body needs, and not to forget the accomplishments made in the field of defense.
Take the latest radar system that is virtually undetectable owing to its signals that resembles random noise. The foolproof system, developed by Ohio State engineers, could be successfully used in law enforcement, military, disaster rescue and medical imaging.
Eric Walton, senior research scientist in Ohio State’s ElectroScience Laboratory, explains:
Almost all radio receivers in the world are designed to eliminate random noise so that they can clearly receive the signal they’re looking for. Radio receivers could search for this radar signal and they wouldn’t find it. It also won’t interfere with TV, radio or other communication signals. It doesn’t interfere because it has a bandwidth that is thousands of times broader than the signals it might otherwise interfere with.The cost-effective radar system, costing less than $100, can easily penetrate through solid walls, allowing army to detect enemy hideouts without any clues.
Via: scienceahead

Swiss Mini Guns: Tech Elegantly Fastooned with Art

Swiss mini guns are considered as the leading brand amongst Gunslingers. They are spectacular because of their elegance and simplicity. This charm is bestowed by the world class illustrious technologies of the Swiss Watch and Jewellery Industry. These firearms are a scaled-down model of the much-admired Colt Python with features as of the real size gun.
Some of Swiss mini guns may look like keys but actually, they are minute functional revolvers. One tiny glowing gun measures just 5.5 cm with 0.35-inch long cartridges. The most amazing part of the guns is their glittering metal; it even outshines the gold. So do not take them as a weapon they can embellish your drawing room.
Image credit: terpsboy

Lockheed Martin’s Private QSST Jet Ready for Supersonic Excursion

Jet manufacturer Lockheed Martin has planned to thrill you with taking-off in your own plane. The manufacturer introduces new supersonic jet, named QSST (for Quiet Supersonic Travel) that will go with a very high velocity.
A supersonic travel was firstly provided to travelers with Concorde that cruises faster than velocity of sound. Travelers had to face the very loud roar while crossing the speed of sound whereas QSST bangs hundred times lesser than that of Concorde because of inverted V-tail design.QSST is priced at $80 million
via: mobilemag

Antonio Riello’s Ladies Weapon: Designed to Kill

Antonio Riello, apparently impressed with mafia and gaming world, gave rise to this “Ladies Weapons”.
His “fashion-fiction” passion intermixed the traditional ‘female stuff’ like fashion with the ‘male stuff’ like guns and carved out guns with a tinge of army weapons from German HK 33, American M-16, Israeli UZI, Russian Kalashnikov, etc. giving way to these fashionable guns for ladies, of course, for the kill. Using leopard skins, inset jewels, brightly lacquered colors, and fake furs, he creates assault rifles, pistols, hand grenades, rocket launchers, sub machine guns etc.
A simple and effective way to give vent to your artisanship.
VIA:boingboing

Air Drop Payload Acquires Accuracy with GPS

U.S. Air Force is practicing these days with cargo airdrop system that brings in use GPS signals to help drop parachuted bundles on targeted area on the ground. Before this, GPS-led bombs revolutionized the history of air- attacks.
The creation is named Joint Precision Air Drop System. The system has been debuted by Air Force C-130 by carrying some supplies to battalions in Afghanistan. The system enables to drop 2000 pounds of stuff from up to height of 25000 feet and land smoothly accurately within few feet the targeted area.
The GPS led system would definitely modernize the relief work during the war and other natural calamities to help out the victims.
Via: therawfeed

Mollie Vest

MOLLE is an Army and Marine Corps item that replaces the aging ALICE (All-purpose, Lightweight, Individual Carrying Equipment) pack and Integrated Individual Fighting System introduced in 1988. One of the main components of the MOLLE system is the nylon mesh vest that has removable pockets to accommodate different carrying needs.
Some of the new technology centers on the MOLLE's frame. Instead of the tubular aluminum used with the ALICE, a new anatomically-contoured frame made with plastic originally used in automobile bumpers has dramatically increased durability, functioning in temperatures ranging from -40 to 120 degrees F. MOLLE also advances load-carrying ability with its new suspension system. Heavily-padded shoulder straps and waist belt are adjustable for varying torso lengths, eliminating the two sizes of ALICE. More weight is distributed at the shoulders and hips, and during a prolonged road march, soldiers can shift the weight to where it feels more comfortable. Additionally, the Fighting Load Carrier (FLC) replaces the Load Bearing Equipment (LBE) web belt and suspenders of the ALICE.
Soldiers and Marines can significantly increase the amount of ammunition they carry, and weight is evenly distributed across the torso. The vest has no metal clips or hooks that can be awkward and dig into the skin, and it has an H-harness in back to minimize heat buildup. It's adjustable to all sizes, and because the vest sits high, soldiers can fasten the MOLLE frame waist belt underneath the FLC to distribute some of the load to the hips. Three flap pockets on the FLC each hold two 30-round magazines, two grenade pockets and two canteen pouches.

eBay Find of the Day: Corvette supercar prototype

What you see above is the original 1992 Marocco II Corvette Prototype Supercar. What is that? We're not exactly sure. Even though the eBay seller has plenty of magazine articles pictured, information is thin on the ground for this car. It apparently went for $156,564 in 1992, which is about $123,000 above the purchase price of a Corvette at the time. What you got for your money (and still will) is an optioned up C4 with a Superblock 350 CI engine that puts out 500 hp and 500 ft-lbs. Not only does the seller claim the car does 0-60 in 3.9 seconds, it does the quarter in 11.6 seconds, tops 200 mph, gets 29 mpg on the highway, and has near zero emissions. That's right, near zero -- at least, according to the hydrocarbon test it took in New Jersey in 1993. And then there's the bodywork, which, well, doesn't suit us, but it is original. And it is one of a kind. $250,000 gets you into the action.

Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: eBay]

TOW Missile System

The tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided (TOW) missile is a crew-portable, vehicle-mounted, heavy anti armor weapon system consisting of a launcher and one of five versions of the TOW missile. It is designed to defeat armored vehicles and other targets such as field fortifications from ranges up to 3,750 meters. After firing the missile, the gunner must keep the crosshairs of the sight centered on the target to ensure a hit. The system will operate in all weather conditions in which the gunner can see a target throughout the missile flight by using either a day or night sight. The TOW system is used on the high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle (HMMWV), the M151 jeep, the armored personnel carrier, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV), COBRA helicopters, the Improved Tow Vehicle (ITV), and the USMC light armored vehicle. Three of the five TOW missile versions—Basic TOW, Improved TOW, and TOW 2—are no longer being produced for U.S. forces. However, these versions are used by 43 allied countries, and Switzerland co-produces the missile system. In the late 1980s, Hughes Aircraft Company, prime contractor for the TOW weapon system, began producing the TOW 2A which gave the system the capability of defeating reactive armor. The TOW 2B provides additional capability against future armored threats.
In May 1972, U.S. soldiers used the TOW in combat during the Vietnam War. This was the very first time that American troops had ever fired an American-made missile under wartime conditions. The system has also seen action in various clashes between Israel and Syria as well as during the Iran/Iraq war. The TOW was one of the earliest missile systems to arrive in Southwest Asia and proved to be highly effective throughout Operation Desert Storm.

Two-Wheel EV whizzer: The evDaytona electric motorcycle

GoWheel brings you an electric motorbike that's going to cost you some money, but it looks and goes just like the real thing. Almost. Starting with a Triumph Daytona, the folks at Go replace the inline DOHC 3-cylinder with a li-ion battery pack that adds 100-190 pounds depending on how many batteries you want. The bike still gets to 60 in 2.9 seconds, and will cruise at 93 mph for 143 highway miles or 49 miles of hard street use. As this whole electric thing gathers steam -- no pun intended -- it's nice to see more and more rides that look like their fire-powered equivalents. But for now, there are always caveats: the bike isn't DOT approved, and it sports an enormous Plexiglas fairing to improve aero efficiency that looks more like a giant shield. And one more thing -- if the bike ever gets made, it will cost you $77,000 to ride in silence.
[Source: Motorbiker via Engadget

Saddam Hussein’s Golden AK-47 Still Holds the Glitter

While Saddam Hussein is busy playing a different game in the precincts of courts, let us dissect his golden AK-47, somehow dug out by the U.S. Army, most probably at the Heathrow Airport. One of his sons presented this gold plated automatic Kalashnikov to the former President.
As you can read the inscription in Arabic on the rifle - “Gift to Mr. President Saddam Hussein, President of the Republic of Iraq”.
Via: smugmug

EBay Selling Blade Runner Blaster M2019 Prop Gun Replica

eBay is selling this ultimate limited edition rare gun replica straight out of the hands of Harrison Ford of the Cult Classic film, Blade Runner. You can grab it now for $1,750. The hand built blank firing blade runner M2019 Chief Special is a 6mm airsoft gas propelled pistol produced by Hartford Company of Japan.
The rare replica of the Plager Katsumate Series-D Blaster 6mm airsoft pellet firing revolver features a functional metal trigger and 4 L.E.D. Light Package. The masterpiece comes to life with a foam lined hardshell carry case, full inscriptions and logos, 4 functional L.E.D. lights and spring loaded metal trigger, 5 round metal cylinder, metal bolt handle and chromed bolt and breach section. The Blaster weighs just 3-pounds.

L.A. Police to Curb Crime with Airborne Drones

Be on your heels, the future of law enforcement is here and the big brother will now keep a constant eye on you from the sky. The LA Sheriff’s Department will soon carry out surveillance with the help of airborne drones to check increasing crime.
The unmanned hi-tech drone, dubbed as SkySeer, will zap the situation live within minutes, streaming live information to computer systems far away. The SkySeet weighs just 2.3 kg and can reach a maximum speed of up to 48 kmph. The autonomously drone equips GPS and infrared technology turning out an ultimate night surveillance device. Just wait and watch how far the $30,000 flying eye keeps up the work into the smoggy Los Angeles sky.
Via: unobtainable