Flying vehicles names. Aircraft. A Brief History of Aviation and Aeronautics

Miniature tactical drone HUGINN X1. Sky-Watch Labs, in collaboration with the Danish Technical University, is currently developing the MUNINN VX1 UAV with partial government funding through the Innovation Fund. The MUNINN VX1 UAV is capable of taking off and landing vertically in cramped and confined spaces, flying horizontally at high speed, covering long distances and quickly reaching objects or areas of interest

Is the world of mini- and micro-UAVs becoming overpopulated? What is the landscape like there? Will Darwinian selection occur, allowing the best to live and develop along with scientific progress?

In recent years, small UAVs (both mini and micro) have become a popular surveillance tool in the defense and security sector, and ever-evolving technological advancements are likely to ensure a bright future for this technology. Special attention is focused on further improving these systems for military operations in urban environments, and continuous research and development work in this direction is being conducted in many countries around the world.

However, in today's operational space, these technologies are also spreading among terrorist and insurgent groups seeking to use UAVs to deliver dirty bombs, forcing authorities to improve the security of their own systems, as well as fundamentally change tactics and methods of combating UAVs.

The April 2015 landing of a small VTOL vehicle with traces of radiation on the roof of the Japanese Prime Minister's residence in Tokyo is evidence of a growing trend, and it has forced more advanced militaries to consider how best to use these technologies in offensive applications. and defense operations.

Mini UAV

Israel continues to maintain a strong market position through intensive development of small UAVs, primarily due to the fact that the Israeli army constantly conducts counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations as part of larger internal security efforts in built-up urban areas.

According to Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Malat general manager Baruch Bonen, the UAV market is witnessing a “steady” increase in the number of small UAVs (both micro and mini), especially as miniaturization of the size and weight of sensor equipment reduces the payload requirements of aircraft. In addition, he believes that this trend is also due to the fact that the use of small-sized platforms reduces the likelihood of their identification and falling into enemy hands.

The IAI Malat family of small aircraft includes the BIRD-EYE 400 mini-UAV, designed for low-level intelligence collection; micro-UAV MOSQUITO with a miniature video camera for urban operations; and the GHOST rotary-wing mini-UAV, deployable from two packs, also designed for urban operations and “silent” reconnaissance and surveillance.

However, in addition to traditional manufacturers of smaller UAVs in Europe, Israel and the United States, a number of companies have now appeared in the Asia-Pacific region, offering their advanced solutions to the world market.

Having gained extensive experience successfully developing larger platforms, Indian company Asteria Aerospace decided to begin development of its first mini-UAV, the A400, earlier this year. The A400 platform is a 4 kg quadcopter designed to perform reconnaissance missions in built-up areas. The operational speed of the device is 25 km/h, it is capable of performing its tasks for 40 minutes within line of sight at a maximum range of 4 km.

Asteria Aerospace reported that the A400 should arrive for evaluation in the armed forces and law enforcement agencies by the end of 2015.

In Europe, the Polish Armament Inspectorate has issued a request for proposals for mini-UAV systems as part of a broader strategy to increase the level of robotics in Poland's armed forces.

The Polish Ministry of Defense plans to purchase 12 large tactical UAVs under the designation ORLIK, but the Armament Inspectorate also wants to purchase 15 WIZJER mini-UAVs for urban operations and reconnaissance and surveillance missions behind enemy lines. In addition, the Polish Ministry of Defense will undoubtedly purchase smaller micro-UAVs.

The Polish Ministry of Defense already has a number of FlyEye UAVs from WB Electronics, as well as approximately 45 ORBITER mini-UAVs from Aeronautics, which were delivered in 2005-2009. These electrically powered systems are capable of line-of-sight reconnaissance and surveillance operations with a service ceiling of 600 meters, a maximum speed of 70 knots, a flight endurance of 4 hours and a payload capacity of 1.5 kg.

According to the terms of the request for proposals, each of the 15 WIZJER mini-systems will consist of three aircraft with associated ground control and logistics stations, including spare parts. The Ministry of Defense has requested a mini-UAV with a maximum range of 30 km, designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance at the company and battalion level. The contract is expected to be issued in 2016, and aircraft will be delivered in 2022.

The preferred options submitted to the competition include an upgraded version of the FlyEye mini-UAV from WB Electronics, as well as joint proposal UAV E-310 UAV from Pitradwar and Eurotech.

The FlyEye device is capable of being hand-launched from “confined spaces” in urban areas; it has a unique parachute recovery system, with the help of which the device descends within a radius of 10 meters from the designated landing point.

The instrument unit is installed at the bottom of the fuselage to optimize the sensor's field of view; The FlyEye device is capable of carrying two cameras in one instrument unit. The device itself, which has anti-icing and anti-spin systems, is controlled using a light ground control station LGCS (Light Ground Control Station), while data and visual information from the instrument unit are transmitted to the video terminal in real time.

The device itself can fly directly to a target point along a predetermined route and is capable of patrolling over the area of interest. The LGCS station allows you to control the device also in manual mode.

The digital data link also provides the ability to transmit target data to mortar fire control systems or battle management systems for the purpose of performing subsequent fire or other combat missions. The on-board communication system operates in the NATO frequency range 4.4-5.0 GHz. According to WB Electronics, the FlyEye UAV is operated by two people, propeller driven by a “silent” electric motor powered by a lithium-polymer battery.

The length of this mini-UAV is 1.9 meters, the wingspan is 3.6 meters, and the maximum take-off weight is 11 kg. The flight speed of the device is 50-170 km/h, it can fly at altitudes up to 4 km for a maximum range of 50 km, the maximum flight duration is three hours.

According to Eurotech, the E-310 UAV can carry optical-electronic equipment or synthetic aperture radar, as well as other “specialized surveillance equipment.” It has “high mobility and reduced operating costs”, the device can take up to 20 kg of on-board equipment, while the maximum flight duration reaches 12 hours. The E-310's service ceiling is 5 km, it can reach a speed of 160 km/h and has a maximum range of 150 km. The device is also launched using a pneumatic installation and returns by parachute, or lands in the traditional way on ski or wheel stands. Eurotech explains that the E-310 is transported on board a “small vehicle” or in a trailer.

Elbit Systems' SKYLARK ILE mini-UAV has seen combat operations. It has been selected by the Israeli Army as a battalion-level unmanned aerial system, and has also been delivered to more than 20 customers from different countries. Soldiers from a unit equipped with the SKYLARK I-LE UAV spent a week in the Negev Desert, learning to operate the SKYLARK system (pictured)

Micro UAV

Micro-class unmanned aerial vehicles are also very useful during operations in urban environments. The military wants small, hand-launched systems capable of covert surveillance in buildings, confined spaces and target areas. Similar tiny systems have already been used in Afghanistan, such as Prox Dynamics' PD-100 BLACK HORNET UAV, although operators have criticized it for its lack of reliability when conducting operations in difficult wind and dusty conditions.

This specific “personal reconnaissance system” is actually an aircraft vertical take-off and “nano class” landings, which are powered by a virtually silent electric motor. With a propeller diameter of only 120 mm, BLACK HORNET carries a camera weighing 18 grams, reaches a speed of 5 m/s and has a flight duration of up to 25 minutes. The device with a remotely controlled optical reconnaissance station on a rotary support device is capable of operating in line of sight from the operator up to 1.5 km; it can fly along pre-programmed routes, as well as hover in place.

However, current trends most likely indicate that for reconnaissance missions, usually carried out before a combat operation, the military is choosing slightly larger micro-UAVs.

The InstantEye UAV, manufactured by Physical Science Incorporated (PSI), is currently in service with unnamed NATO special forces and counter-narcotics teams operating in South America. This aircraft has also been adopted by the US Department of Defense and was recently delivered to the British Army for testing. This manual launcher weighs less than 400 grams, and the manufacturer claims a ready-to-start time of just 30 seconds. The maximum flight time is 30 minutes, the InstantEye device has a maximum range of 1 km and can carry various sensors.

This UAV, which imitates the movements of a hawk moth (a type of butterfly) during flight, can be controlled in “manual” mode, reaching speeds of up to 90 km/h. InstantEye is controlled from a ground station; its surveillance and reconnaissance suite consists of forward, side and downward vision cameras that provide navigation, tracking and target designation. Visual reconnaissance capabilities can be enhanced by installing a high-definition GoPro camera or an infrared camera that can generate images created by a built-in infrared LED illuminator that can illuminate the ground from a height of 90 meters.

However, in addition to the existing use for covert surveillance and reconnaissance in the rear, this aircraft will soon receive a WMD intelligence sensor suite in response to possible counter-terrorism operations in urban environments. In addition, in order to meet the needs of NATO special units, it can be equipped with relay equipment for transmitting speech and voice data.

Another system that is very popular with special forces is the SKYRANGER unmanned aerial system (UAS) from Aeryon Labs, which is promoted internationally by Datron World Communications. According to executive director Dave Kroetsch's Aeryon Labs, their LHC is a cost-effective alternative to other systems for providing real-time situational information. He explained: “The systems are vertical take-off and landing and do not require any additional launch and return equipment. They are controlled by a single operator and therefore other team members can focus on other tasks, that is, the UAV becomes a means of increasing combat effectiveness. Real-time video can be transmitted to the command center and to other devices on the network.”

The company recently revealed the new Aeryon HDZoom30 image transmission device for its SKYRANGER, which Kroetsch says provides “unprecedented aerial reconnaissance capabilities, which is critical to mission success. We get a UAV system with stable and reliable flight characteristics that can stay in the air for up to 50 minutes and that has a reliable real-time digital video feed.”

Meanwhile, DARPA's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is exploring technology that would help mini-UAVs and micro-UAVs fly in clutter-intensive environments independently of direct human control and without relying on GPS navigation. Earlier this year, the FLA (Fast Lightweight Autonomy) program was officially launched to study biomimetic information regarding the maneuvering abilities of birds and flying insects. Although DARPA is using a small six-propeller vehicle weighing just 750 grams as a test platform, the program will still focus on developing algorithms and software that can be integrated into any type of small UAV.

“The Department hopes that what has been developed software, will allow the UAV to operate in a number of spaces to which access was usually prohibited, a prime example being interior spaces. Small UAVs, for example, have proven useful in conducting short-range reconnaissance by deployed patrols, but they are, however, unable to provide information about the situation in the building, which is often a critical moment of the entire operation,” the DARPA representative explained.

The program provides for achieving the following characteristics: operation at speeds up to 70 km/h, range 1 km, operating time 10 minutes, operation without relying on communications or GPS, computing power 20 watts.

Initial demonstrations are scheduled for early 2016 in the form of "slalom tests on outdoors”, followed by indoor testing in 2017.

IAI's advanced, affordable BIRD-EYE-650 mini-UAV provides real-time video data day and night for urban operations and reconnaissance behind enemy lines.

As for the development of onboard sensors and systems, general trend is to constantly reduce the size of the sensors. At the Aero India 2015 exhibition, Controp Precision Technologies showed its Micro-STAMP optical reconnaissance station (stabilized miniature payload - stabilized miniature equipment). The station weighing less than 300 grams, which includes a daytime color CCD camera, an uncooled thermal imager and a laser pointer, is intended for installation on a mini-UAV.

The stabilized station was created for deep reconnaissance missions and features a variety of functions, including surveillance, inertial target tracking, position hold, position arrival, scanning/aerial photography and pilot window mode.

The 10cm x 8cm station, specially reinforced for hard landings, can be installed in the nose or under the fuselage. The day camera is based on CMOS technology (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semi-conductor - complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor structure), and the thermal imager operates in the range of 8-14 nm. According to Controp, the station has already been tested in units of the Israeli army, in addition, in 2016 it is planned to develop a larger version weighing 600 grams.

A U.S. Army soldier prepares an InstantEye II micro-UAV for surveillance across a hill during a combined arms exercise at Fort Benning in May 2015.

Combating small UAVs

One of the most important advantages of using mini- and micro-UAVs is that they are able to perform reconnaissance missions without being detected, they cannot be detected by air defense radars and ground-based radars programmed to capture larger aircraft.

However, after the use of small-sized UAVs by militants of various types during military operations in Israel and Libya, the military and industry are now addressing this threat and have begun developing special technology that will allow them to identify, track and neutralize mini- and micro-UAVs.

At the 2015 Paris Air Show, Controp Precision Technologies showed its fast-scan lightweight thermal imager, the Tornado, capable of detecting and tracking low-altitude mini-UAVs flying from different speeds. The matrix, operating in the mid-wave IR region of the spectrum, provides a 360° all-round view; it is capable of detecting the slightest changes in space associated with the flights of small UAVs, both airplane and helicopter. The company's vice president explained: “Drones are becoming more common, and they pose new threats to personal safety. Most radar-based air defense systems are unable to detect the threat of small drones flying below 300 meters. Tornado panoramicly scans a very large area with high speed, using complex algorithms to detect very small changes in the environment. Tornado was recently tested to detect and track even the smallest, low-flying drones.”

It is reported that the system is capable of identifying small UAVs at distances from “several hundred meters” to “tens of kilometers”, but it is worth noting that, given the general concept of operations, which involves the use of platforms of this class in urban environments, such capabilities will simply be unclaimed.

The Tornado thermal imaging system can be used as a stand-alone device or integrated into various air defense systems. It has a built-in automatic system audible and visual warning to notify the operator of any intrusion into the no-fly zone. However, in order to neutralize the threat, this system must transmit a signal either to an electronic countermeasures system or to a weapons system.

A similar solution is currently being proposed by a consortium of British companies (Blighter Systems, Chess Dynamics and Enterprise Control Systems), which has developed a surveillance and radio frequency jamming system for UAVs.

A British consortium recently announced the development of a system to combat small UAVs, called the Anti-UAV Defense System (AUDS). Blighter Surveillance Systems, Chess Dynamics and Enterprise Control Systems (ECS) have partnered specifically to jointly develop this anti-drone system.

Blighter Surveillance Systems executive director Mark Redford explained in an interview that the AUDS system operates in three stages: detection, tracking and localization. Blighter's A400 Series Air Security Radar is used for UAV detection, Chess Dynamics' Hawkeye long-range surveillance system for tracking, and finally ECS's directional RF jammer acts as a neutralizing component.

Representatives of the companies said that the AUDS system is directly designed to combat small aircraft and helicopter-type drones, such as quadcopters, and even named some similar systems that can simply be bought in a store.

Redford said the system has advantages over similar systems because it includes components that have been proven in real-world conditions, such as the radar already in service with several armies in the form of ground surveillance radar, which operates there in very noisy environments.

Extended testing of the AUDS system has been carried out in France and the UK, according to Dave Morris, head of business development at ECS. The system was tested against several aircraft in scenarios close to real ones; To date, a total of 80 hours of testing and 150 flights have been carried out.

The French Ministry of Defense carried out the tests in March 2015, while the UK Defense Science and Technology Laboratory carried them out in early May. The AUDS system is currently heading to the US, where it will be demonstrated to several potential US and Canadian operators. It is also planned to conduct tests in one of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

During testing, the system demonstrated the ability to detect, track and neutralize targets in just 15 seconds. The neutralization range is 2.5 km with an almost instantaneous impact on the target.

A key feature of the system is the ability of the RF jammer to tune to specific data channels with the precise level of impact required. For example, a jammer can be used to jam a GPS signal received by a UAV or a command and control radio link. There is also the potential to introduce an “interception” capability into the system, allowing the AUDS operator to “virtually” take control of the UAV. The jammer's job is not only to "shoot down" the vehicle, it can be used simply to disrupt the functionality of the UAV in order to force its operator to remove his device from the area.

Representatives of the companies admitted that the most difficult problem for the AUDS system may be the fight against low-flying UAVs in urban areas, since in this case there is a large amount of interference and a large number of reflective surfaces. Solving this problem will be the goal of further development.

Although the system is highly automated in a number of aspects, especially detection and tracking, human involvement is key to the operation of AUDS. The ultimate decision to neutralize the target or not, and to what extent, rests entirely with the operator.

Technologies for the radar are borrowed from ground-based surveillance radars in service with the British Army and also South Korea, where they monitor the demilitarized zone with North Korea.

The CW Doppler radar operates in electronically scanned mode and provides 180° azimuth and 10° or 20° elevation coverage depending on configuration. It operates in the Ku band and has a maximum range of 8 km, and can detect an effective reflection area of up to 0.01 m2. The system can simultaneously track several targets.

The Hawkeye surveillance and search system from Chess Dynamics is installed in one unit with a radio frequency jammer and consists of an optical-electronic camera with high resolution and a cooled mid-wave thermal imager. The first has a horizontal field of view from 0.22° to 58°, and a thermal imager from 0.6° to 36°. The system uses a Vision4ce digital tracking device that provides continuous azimuth tracking. The system is capable of continuous azimuth panning and tilting from -20° to 60° at a speed of 30° per second, tracking targets at a distance of about 4 km.

The ECS Multi-Band RF Jammer features three built-in directional antennas that form a 20° wide beam. The company has gained extensive experience in developing technologies to combat improvised explosive devices. A company representative spoke about this, noting that several of its systems were deployed by coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. He added that ECS knows the vulnerabilities of data transmission channels and how to exploit them.

The heart of the AUDS system is the operator control station, through which all system components can be controlled. It includes a tracking display, a main control screen, and a video recording display.

In order to expand the surveillance area, these systems can be combined into a network, be it several full-fledged AUDS systems or a network of radars connected to one “survey and search system/silencer” unit. Also, the AUDS system could potentially be part of a larger air defense system, although the companies do not yet intend to develop this direction.

The CEO of Enterprise Control Systems noted: “UAV incidents and security perimeter breaches involving drones occur almost every day. In turn, the AUDS system can alleviate the increased concerns in military, government and commercial structures associated with small UAVs.”

“While UAVs have many positive applications, they are expected to increasingly be used for nefarious purposes. They can carry cameras

Humanity has been striving upward for centuries and millennia; legends, myths, traditions and fairy tales have been written about people’s attempts to overcome gravity. The ancient gods could move in the air on their chariots, some did not even need them. The most famous “sky pilots” include Icarus, as well as Father Frost (aka Santa Claus).

More realistic examples for history are Leonardo da Vinci, the Montgolfier brothers and other engineers, as well as enthusiasts passionate about their ideas, such as, for example, the American Wright brothers. The modern era of aircraft construction began with the latter; it was they who developed some fundamentals, which are still in use today.

As in the case of cars, the efficiency of aircraft increased over time, and designers received more opportunities to create some new, often revolutionary means of air travel. With sufficient funding and support from those in power (usually the military), it was possible to bring the most unusual projects to life. Often these were devices unadapted to life that could only fly on paper. Others did get off the ground, but their production turned out to be too expensive. There were also other restrictions, including technical ones.

We decided to list some both forgotten and promising aircraft for personal use. These are not aircraft for transporting large numbers of passengers or bulk cargo, but individual means movements that attract with their unusualness and theoretically can simplify the life of a person of the future.

(Total 30 photos + 10 videos)

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HZ-1 Aerocycle (YHO-2)

1. The HZ-1 Aerocycle (YHO-2) is a personal helicopter developed by de Lackner Helicopters in the mid-1950s. The customer for the device was the American military, who intended to provide their soldiers with a convenient means of transportation. The “aerocycle” was a platform, from below which two propellers rotating in different directions were attached (the length of each blade was more than 4.5 meters).

2. They were powered by a 4-cylinder engine with a capacity of 43 horsepower, the maximum flight speed of the unit was up to 110 km/h.

3. The YHO-2 was tested by professional pilot Selmer Sandby, who became a volunteer in this matter. Its longest flight lasted 43 minutes, others ended a few seconds after takeoff. There were some incidents: several times the blades of two propellers came into contact, which led to their deformation, as well as loss of control over the device.

4. It was assumed that anyone could fly the YHO-2 after 20 minutes of instruction, but Sundby doubted this. The danger was posed by the huge blades, which could frighten a person, even though the pilot’s position was secured with seat belts. Engineers were never able to solve the problem with the propellers, and the project was eventually abandoned. Of the 12 ordered personal helicopters, one remained intact - it is exhibited in one of the American museums. By the way, Selmer Sundby received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service and participation in the YHO-2 tests.

Jetpack

5. In the 1950s, another promising individual vehicle was being developed - a jetpack. This idea, which appeared in science fiction back in the 1920s, was subsequently embodied in comics and films (for example, “The Rocketeer” in 1991), but before that, engineers and designers spent a lot of effort on realizing the idea of making a rocket man. Attempts have not stopped to this day, but the level of technology development still does not allow us to overcome some limitations. In particular, there is no talk of long-term flight yet; controllability also leaves much to be desired. There are also questions regarding pilot safety

6. The “pioneer” among rocket packs was distinguished by its incredible “gluttony”: a flight lasting up to 30 seconds required 19 liters of hydrogen peroxide (hydrogen peroxide). The pilot could effectively jump into the air or fly a hundred meters, but that was where all the advantages of the device ended. To maintain a single backpack, a whole team of specialists was required, its speed of movement was relatively low, and to increase the flight range, a tank was needed, which the pilot could not hold.

7. The military, who saw the prospect of creating space infantry or flying special forces in a very expensive project, were disappointed.

8. Subsequently, a modernized version of the device appeared - RB 2000 Rocket Belt. Its development was led by three Americans: insurance salesman and entrepreneur Brad Barker, businessman Joe Wright and engineer Larry Stanley. Unfortunately, the group broke up: Stanley accused Barker of embezzlement and the latter fled with a sample of the RB 2000. A trial followed, but Barker refused to pay $10 million. Stanley grabbed his ex-partner and put him in a box for eight days, for which he received a life sentence in 2002 after the insurance agent fled (it was reduced to eight years). After all these twists and turns, the RB 2000 was never found.

Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar

9. In the late 1940s, the so-called Roswell Incident occurred, which likely influenced the minds of Canadian engineers. They took part in the development of the Avro Canada VZ-9 Avrocar vertical take-off and landing aircraft. When looking at it, an analogy with flying saucers immediately comes to mind. At least three years and $10 million were spent on the pilot project. A total of two copies of the high-tech “donut” with a turbine in the middle were built.

10. It was assumed that the Avrocar, using the Coanda effect (since 2012, it has been used in Formula 1), will be able to reach high speeds. Being maneuverable and having a decent range, it will eventually turn into a “flying jeep”. The diameter of the “plate” with two cockpits for pilots was 5.5 meters, height - less than a meter, weight - 2.5 tons. The Avrocar's maximum flight speed, according to the designers' plans, was to reach 480 km/h, and its flight altitude was more than 3 thousand meters.

11. The second full-fledged prototype did not live up to the hopes of its creators: it could only accelerate to an unimpressive 56 km/h. In addition, the device behaved unpredictably in the air, and there was no talk of effective flight. The engineers also found out that it would not be possible to lift the Avrocar into the air to any significant height, and the existing model risked getting stuck in tall grass or small bushes.

AeroVelo Atlas helicopter

13. In 2013, two Canadian engineers received the Sikorsky Prize, established in 1980. Initially, its size was 10 thousand dollars. In 2009, payments increased to $250 thousand. According to the rules of the competition, a muscle-powered aircraft had to rise into the air to a height of at least three meters, while having good stability and controllability.

14. The creators of AeroVelo Atlas were able to fulfill all the assigned tasks, presenting a futuristic vehicle in their own way, worthy of conquering the skies of a low-gravity planet. Despite its enormous size (the width of the helicopter was 58 meters, and the weight was only 52 kg), the worthy successor of da Vinci’s ideas took off and even in a sense surpassed the “competitor” in the person of Avrocar: its flight altitude was 3.3 meters, duration - more than a minute.

15. At the peak moment, the Atlas pilot was able to create 1.5 horsepower of thrust, which was required to achieve a given altitude. At the end of the flight, the thrust was 0.8 horsepower - the pedals were turned by a trained athlete, a professional cyclist.

The helicopter helicopter deserves attention as proof that, if desired, you can bypass many obstacles and make even something fly that does not inspire confidence even at rest.

Chris Malloy's hoverbike

16. Some people are inspired by UFO stories, but Chris Malloy is probably a Star Wars fan. So far, unfortunately, this is only an idea, partially implemented: the Australian continues to raise funds to produce a fully working prototype of the aircraft.

17. To do this, he will need $1.1 million, but for now there are miniature versions of the hoverbike on sale: these are drones, through the sales of which Malloy intends to partially finance the construction of his brainchild.

18. The engineer believes that his aircraft is better than existing helicopters (which is what he compares the hoverbike to). The unit does not require advanced knowledge in the field of piloting, since the main tasks will be performed by the computer. In addition, the device is lighter and cheaper.

19. It is planned that the device will be equipped with a tank for 30 liters of fuel (60 liters with additional containers), the consumption will be 30 liters per hour, or 0.5 liters per minute. The width of the hoverbike reaches 1.3 meters, length - 3 meters, net weight - 105 kg, maximum take-off weight - 270 kg.

20. The unit will be able to take off to a height of almost 3 km, and its speed will be more than 250 km/h. This all sounds promising, but so far it is unlikely.

21. A fully working prototype of a water-powered jetpack analogue was completed in 2008. According to its creators, the first sketch of the future device appeared eight years earlier. A promo demonstrating the capabilities of Jetlev was posted on YouTube in 2009, at the same time the developer company announced the cost of the first mass version of the device - $139.5 thousand. Over time, the water-powered backpack has noticeably decreased in price, which dropped for the R200x model to 68.5 thousand dollars. This became possible thanks to the emerging competition.

22. On our list, this is the first aircraft that actually exists, works and has a certain popularity. It is “tied” to water, but this does not detract from its advantages: the maximum flight speed of the current model is 40 km/h, the height is about 40 meters. If there was a sufficiently long river, a Jetlev pilot could cover almost 50 km (another question is whether there is a person capable of withstanding such a journey).

23. The development does not pretend to be a “serious” means of transportation, but it will make you feel like James Bond, who has at his disposal a new gadget from the research center of the British Secret Service.

M400 Skycar

24. One of the most controversial projects, which in the end may not be implemented. Designer Paul Moller has been creating a flying car for decades. In recent years, he has found it increasingly difficult to attract attention to his vehicles that never took off. For all this time, the inventor has not been able to achieve significant and visible results, but at least since 1997 he has regularly attracted attention financial services and regulatory authorities.

25. Moller was initially caught releasing marketing materials in which he announced that his future cars would fill the airspace within a few years. Then doubts arose from operations with securities and possible deception of investors, as a result of which there were fewer and fewer people willing to invest money in the bottomless project. The Canadian made his last attempt at the end of 2013, but by January 2014 he had collected less than $30 thousand out of the required $950 thousand.

26. According to the designer, the M400X Skycar is currently under development. A car designed to carry one person (driver), on paper, is capable of reaching speeds of up to 530 km/h and taking off to a height of 10 thousand meters. In reality, the idea will most likely remain an idea, and the life's work of Paul Moller, who turns 78 this year, will end in nothing.

Flying motorcycle G2

27. In the future, it will definitely fly - this is evidenced by tests of the first model conducted in 2005-2006. In the meantime, the device, which managed to win the title of “the world’s fastest flying motorcycle,” would be suitable for Mad Max, Batman or Agent 007.

28. Thanks to the engine from the Suzuki GSX-R1000, the vehicle is capable of reaching speeds of more than 200 km/h, which was proven during races across the salt desert in the USA. According to the developer, the flying motorcycle will gain the ability to conquer the sky in the coming months.

29. It was not for nothing that the inventor chose a bike as the basis for the aircraft: according to American law, it will be much easier to register and use it on the roads.

30. Dejö Molnar is now working to reduce the weight of the G2 and adapt the engine that powers the motorcycle to interact with the propeller. It is then that the engineer will publish a video in which he will demonstrate all the capabilities of the vehicle he is creating.

People have dreamed of flying like birds for centuries. Daredevils of various kinds and status tried to create devices to fly of their own free will. Not all worked... and not all pilots survived. To successfully rise into the air and hover in it, the inventors needed to find a balance between weight, energy and aerodynamics through their own experience. Here are ten of the most incredible attempts to invent personal wings.

Although attempts to fly go back centuries, George Cayley is considered the first person to analyze the technical side of the flight issue. Trying different models, Cayley designed fixed-wing devices and came to the conclusion that flight required lift, propulsion (forward), and control. By the early nineteenth century, Cayley was working on various gliders, adding wings and rudders concave at slight angles. He also realized that his glider needed an engine, but was unable to build one. Without this component, Cayley's device only flew a couple of hundred yards (almost two hundred meters) and fell. Richard Branson created a replica of Cayley's device in 2003.

Helen Alberti (1931)

A former opera singer and burlesque dancer, Madame Hélène Alberti was also a pioneer of the flying suit. She believed so strongly in the "Greek Cosmic Law of Motion" that she intended to open a flight school after the successful demonstration of her suit. The basis of cosmic propulsion was supposed to be based on the principles formulated by Arthur Noyes. Alberti stated that people's nerves are their engines, and willpower is their ignition key. If you flap your wings back and forth, the cosmic motion will give you flight. When Alberti first tested this theory outside Boston in 1929, the wind blew and turned her into a broken toy. She enlisted the help of a man from Concord, New Hampshire to improve her costume design, and tried again... but failed. All this was filmed, by the way.

Clem Sohn (1935)

A group of daredevils, including Clem Sohn (above), experimented in the 1930s with winged suits made from canvas, baleen and silk. Son flew the plane to three thousand meters and then jumped out, using the wings under his arms and between his legs to glide for 75 seconds. Usually he landed with a parachute, but in 1937 it did not open, and Son fell to his death. Unfortunately, this happened often, and between 1930 and 1960, about 70 Birdmen died.

Francis and Gertrude Rogallo (1948)

Although Francis Rogallo served on the National Aeronautics Committee, no one on the board was interested in flexible-wing devices. Rogallo brought the idea home and developed a prototype with his wife Gertrude. They used cardboard and table fans to build wind tunnels. Then Gertrude sewed a triangular shape from colored kitchen curtains. kite. Rogallo initially pitched his device as a kite, but eventually adapted it for delta and paragliding. What’s noteworthy is that NASA became interested in Rogallo’s invention in order to land space capsules back to earth. They paid him $35,000 for the idea, but eventually, in the heat of the space race, decided to stick with conventional parachutes.

Rocket Belt (1961)

Funded by the US Army, Harold Graham was the first to fly the rocket belt, which was invented by Wendell Moore in 1961. It flew 33 meters in 13 seconds using pressurized hydrogen peroxide. Due to the limited fuel that a person could carry, rocket belts allowed flight for no more than a minute and were difficult to control. This design was subsequently refined by NASA for astronauts using the Manned Maneuvering Unit to move independently outside of the space shuttle.

Aviator competitions

When human-piloted aircraft (called muscle planes) became common in the 1980s, competitions began around the world with the main goal of turning aviation into an extreme sport. Using readily available lightweight materials to produce their designs, amateur aviators built them and flew them in competition with each other. The Queenstown Festival in New Zealand hosts a "birdman competition". Another similar competition is the Icarus Cup in England, in which pilots compete in short flights, long flights, takeoffs and landings. The very first prize in this tournament went to Paul MacReady and his Gossamer Condor in 1977. This will be discussed in the next paragraph.

Gossamer Condor/Albatross

Paul Macready's Gossamer Condor successfully flew 2 kilometers in 1977 and won the British Muscle Flying Prize, established in 1959. Its successor, the Gossamer Albatross, became the first muscle ship to cross the English Channel. At some points he was flying six inches above the waves at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour. MacReady later worked with NASA to test the unmanned Gossamer Albatross at 20,000 meters above the ground. NASA (and perhaps the military) were interested in MacReady's design because it provided more speed and controllability than balloon, and could stay above the target longer than airplanes.

Yves Rossi

Another manned aircraft that crossed the English Channel was designed by professional pilot Yves Rossy. Rossi's device featured four jet engines mounted at the rear. Each turbine was a modified version of one used in military drones. In addition, every part of the Rossi wing was special: a fiberglass shell, a carbon fiber frame, an electronic control module and tanks with 13 liters of jet fuel. Rossi controlled the wing with his own body movements and steered by turning his head. It wasn't until 2007 that Rossi received sponsorship from watch manufacturer Swiss and stopped spending his own money on the wing. He plans to assemble a simpler model that can be put into wide production.

With the advent of winged suits made of durable fabric, BASE jumping became an extreme sport that “birdmen” became interested in. When jumping from buildings or natural cliffs, BASE jumpers either deploy a parachute or glide through the air at high speeds using their inflatable fabric wings. Many die from accidents every year, including the death of the first winged jumper, Patrick de Gayardon, in 1998.

The Puffin

From this list, it became clear that NASA has often invested in research into personal flight devices year after year. In 2010, the agency unveiled The Puffin concept, designed by aerospace engineer Mark Moore. The Internet went wild with anticipation. According to the implementation plan (which for some reason was delayed), The Puffin would use sensitive motors and control systems so that the device would “feel” the intentions of the pilot, similar to how a horse understands the intentions of its rider. The Puffin will be able to lift 100 kilograms of weight, will be 3.7 meters in length, and has a wingspan of 4.4 meters. It takes off vertically and, once in a hovering position, turns over and flies horizontally.

Man has long dreamed of learning to fly like a bird, and flying machines are exactly what this desire and the scientific and technical vector of human development have led him to. Aircraft are a long branch of evolution and progress, starting with the first unsuccessful attempts to create a muscle plane (like the one with which Icarus failed) and ending with modern Boeings, fighters, bombers, spacecraft - everything that allows us to move, bypassing land and sea. Despite the seemingly unimaginably complex technology behind them, aircraft are for the most part considered a relatively safe and fast means of transportation. Only tragedies that claim the lives of several hundred people at once cause particular resonance. However, a person’s desire is the law, and we can say with confidence that he has exceeded the plan to repeat the feat of the birds of this world.

A Zeppelin, better known as an airship, is a controlled balloon propelled by a propulsion system powered by lightweight hydrogen or helium. The surge in use of this vehicle occurred at the beginning of the 20th century, when it was considered not just a means of transportation, but also a luxurious way to show one’s wealth to the wealthy segment of the population. Almost 80 years after the last one, huge flying giants may return to the skies and become part of our daily lives. However, this time the airships will not be used to transport passengers, but as an environmentally friendly means of transport to deliver goods around the world.

People have been striving for the sky since ancient times. Suffice it to recall the stories about Icarus, the magic carpet, Carlson and Baba Yaga with her broom. Centuries have passed since then, and fairy tales have been replaced by science with its clear and constructive approach. Therefore, our article today will be devoted to small aircraft.

We all know about the existence of parachutes. The main disadvantage of this flying vehicle is its inability to control the flight. The Paraglider can easily cope with this.
A paraglider is an ultra-light non-motorized aircraft. The flight is carried out thanks to the incoming air flow, which is supplied through special openings - air intakes.

It is analogous to a Paraglider, with the only difference being that it is equipped with an engine that ensures its launch and flight.

A device similar in structure to a motor paraglider, but, unlike it, the engine is not placed on the pilot’s seat, but is mounted on a frame, which is also equipped with a landing gear for take-off.

The aircraft is named after the Greek letter Delta. The flight is carried out thanks to rising air currents and the pilot's balancing suspension. It was with the help of a hang glider that Russian President V.V. Putin led a flock of cranes. True, his hang glider was equipped with a motor. As a result of this, it turned into a “motor hang glider”, or “hang plane”.

Translated from English, wingsuit reads “flying squirrel.” Externally, it looks like a wing suit. There are additional folds between the arms and legs, which turn into wings during flight. They use a wingsuit when performing their breathtaking stunts. Landing is carried out using a parachute.
The most spectacular are proxy flights over the slopes. Video on the topic

At the same time, we will not talk about a ball on a string in the hands of a child, but about a ball on which you can fly around the entire globe. The scientific name of the ball sounds like “Balloon” or “Hot Air Balloon”. This is an aircraft that uses heated air to fly. Attached to the ball is a basket for passengers, which also contains a burner to maintain the required temperature. Flight is carried out thanks to a physical law, according to which it follows that heated air is lighter than cold air. This is why flight occurs.

Despite the fact that the device does not yet have a sonorous name, it is still worth talking about. The device, developed by the Japanese corporation GEN Corporation, is a chair on top of which there are four helicopter rotors capable of lifting a load of up to 210 kg. The design weighs only 70 kg and can be in flight for up to 30 minutes.
The cost of the device is 30 thousand dollars!!!

Personal ultra-light vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The developer of Martin Jetpack is a New Zealand company. The device runs on gasoline. It can fly up to 100 km/h, rising to a height of up to 2.5 km. When fully charged, it can stay in the air for half an hour.

The device, developed by the Americans, is the smallest manned jet aircraft. The design of the aircraft is a rigid structure equipped with wings - an exoskeleton. The device is so light that it can be worn as a backpack. Thanks to EXO-Wing, you can fly up to 15 km without landing.

Our last nominee is a real contender for the Sikorsky Prize, which is worth 250 thousand dollars.
According to the terms of the competition, he must rise into the air to a height of 3 meters and hold on for one minute. The device is a hybrid of a bicycle and a helicopter. He flies solely on human muscle power!!!