Throw-and-go 'invisible' UAV
(Credit: Vera Tech Aero)To see and remain unseen is what military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) aspire to. In keeping with that goal, Vera Tech Aero has developed the "virtually invisible" Phantom Sentinel.
The aircraft's tripod, boomerang design reportedly relies on the "concept of persistence of vision" for invisibility.
Apparently, the aircraft operates in such a way that it fools the eye/brain motion-detecting apparatus. Because the Phantom's single rotor blade is located outside its fuselage and because it spins in flight it is "virtually undetectable to the human eye", according to Vera Tech.
The UAV can hover and provide a 360-degree picture from a high-speed camera, is GPS compatible and "adverse weather resistant." Best of all, its "throw-and-go" launch option allows you to unass the AO ASAP. It also answers the question of why our boomerang never worked; it was missing a leg and a propeller.
Mark Rutherford is a West Coast-based freelance writer. He is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and is not an employee of CNET. Email him at markr@milapp.com. Disclosure.
