Boeing X-45

The Boeing X-45 unmanned combat air vehicle is a concept demonstrator for a next generation of completely autonomous military aircraft, developed by Boeing's Phantom Works. Manufactured byBoeing Integrated Defense Systems, the X-45 is part of DARPA's J-UCAS project.

Development

Boeing developed the X-45 from research gathered during the development of the Bird of Prey. The X-45 features an extremely low-profile dorsal intake placed near the leading edge of the aircraft. The center fuselage is blended into a swept lambda wing, with a small exhaust outlet. It has no vertical control surfaces - split aileronsnear each wingtip function as asymmetric air brakes, providing rudder control, much as in Northrop's flying wings.

Removing the pilot and its associated facilities dramatically reduces the aircraft's cost. Operators may remotely command the aircraft, but the actual piloting is autonomous.

Variants

X-45A

Boeing built two of the model X-45A; both were scaled-down proof-of-concept aircraft. The first was completed by Boeing'sPhantom Works in September 2000. The goal of the X-45A technology demonstrator program was to develop the technologies needed to "conduct suppression of enemy air defense missions with unmanned combat air vehicles."^[1] The first generation of unmanned combat air vehicles are primarily planned for air-to-ground roles with defensive air-to-air capabilities coupled with significant remote piloting.

The X-45A had its first flight on May 22, 2002, and the second vehicle followed in November of that year. On April 18, 2004, the X-45A's first bombing run test at Edwards Air Force Base was successful; it hit a ground target with a 250-pound inert precision-guided munition. On August 1, 2004, for the first time, two X-45As were controlled in flight simultaneously by one ground controller.

On February 4, 2005, on their 50th flight, the two X-45As took off into a patrol pattern and were then alerted to the presence of a target. The X-45As then autonomously determined which vehicle held the optimum position, weapons (notional), and fuel load to properly attack the target. After making that decision, one of the X-45As changed course and the pilot-operator allowed it to attack the simulated antiaircraft emplacement. Following a successful strike, another simulated threat, this time disguised, emerged and was subsequently destroyed by the second X-45A. This demonstrated the ability of these vehicles to work autonomously as a team and manage their resources, as well as to engage previously-undetected targets, which is significantly harder than following a predetermined attack path.

After the completion of the flight test program, both X-45As were sent to museums, one to theNational Air and Space Museum, and the other to the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, where it was inducted on November 13, 2006

X-45B/C

The larger X-45B design was modified to have even more fuel capacity and three times greater combat range, becoming the X-45C. Each wing's leading edge spans from the nose to the wingtip, giving the aircraft more wing area, and a planform very similar to the B-2 Spirit's. The first of the three planned X-45C aircraft was originally scheduled to be completed in 2006, with capability demonstrations scheduled for early 2007. By 2010 Boeing hoped to complete an autonomousaerial refueling of the X-45C by a KC-135 Stratotanker. Boeing has displayed a mock-up of the X-45C on static displays at many airshows.

The X-45C portion of the program received $767 million from DARPA in October 2004, to construct and test three aircraft, along with several supplemental goals. The X-45C included a F404 engine. In July 2005 DARPA awarded an additional $175 million to continue the program, as well as implement autonomous Aerial Refueling technology.

As of March 2, 2006, the US Air Force has decided not to continue with the X-45 project. However, Boeing submitted a proposal to the Navy for a carrier based demonstrator version of the X-45, designated the X-45N.

X-45N

The X-45N was Boeing's proposal to the Navy's Unmanned Combat Air Systems demonstration project. When it became known that the US Air Force would end funding to the Joint Unmanned Combat Air System program (which included the X-45 and X-47), the US Navy started its own UCAS program. Requirements were defined over the summer of 2006, and proposals were submitted in April 2007.

The first flight of the X-45N was planned for November 2008, had Boeing won the contract. The contract was eventually awarded to Northrop Grumman's proposed naval X-47, thus ending the X-45 program. Northrop by that point had already been responsible for the first autonomous carrier landing of a UAV.

The software Boeing developed to allow the X-45N to land and takeoff autonomously on aircraft carriers has recently been installed on the first F/A-18F, which has used it to perform autonomous approaches. All autonomous approaches ended with a wave-off by design. This Super Hornet is expected to be able to hook the carrier's arrester cables autonomously by the 2009 timeframe, setting the stage for carrier-borne UAV operations

Phantom Ray

Boeing plans to develop and demonstrate an unmanned flying test bed for advanced air system technologies. The internally funded program, called Phantom Ray, will use the X-45C prototype vehicle^[14] that Boeing originally developed for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)/U.S. Air Force/U.S. Navy Joint-Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) program. The UAV is not aimed at any particular program or competition.^[15]

The Phantom Ray project—dubbed “Project Reblue” internally at Boeing—was conceptualized in mid-2007, and started in earnest in June 2008, Davis says. It was kept secret even within the company except for a handful of executives and engineers until May 2009.^[16]

The Phantom Ray demonstrator is scheduled to make its first flight in December 2010. The aircraft will conduct 10 flights over a period of approximately six months, supporting missions that may include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; suppression of enemy air defenses; electronic attack; hunter/killer; and autonomous aerial refueling.

Loftcube

The Loftcube will appeal to the nomadic person who living for short periods of time in the large cities and dense urban areas wants a temporary Sanctuary. Loftcubes where thought up to be constructed on the roofs of existing architecture: highrises, buildings etc. The body of the loft cube can be customized how the user desires. The four outer walls of the Loft Cube are separate segments that can be made transparent, translucent or closed versions. Louvre windows with horizontal wooden slates provide ventilation. Seems there are two models available the LC39, which provides 420ft of living space and the LC55 with 588ft. The price for this high kind of lifestyle complete with bathroom and Kitchen is as follows: $136,000 and $180,000 respectively. Plus the price of installing your LoftCube on a high rise via crane or helicopter and rooftop rent. No doubt we will see more and more of these in the future.Loftcube.

WACCA : Visual Memory In A Bracelet

Just like our memories come alive when we take our favorite objects in our hands, visual memories and their tools should be more closely related. The performance of visual memory devices, such as resolution and memory, will eventually reach their usability saturation points. However, just like wearing wristwatches, they will be worn like accessories rather than highly functional tools. Looking into the landscape through an opening, this bracelet will capture visual images in the angles adapting to the distance from the viewers’ faces through distance sensors installed in the device. Furthermore, users can browse through the visual images on its viewer and also display them just like a picture frame.

ICON A5 - Ultimate Recreational Lightweight Sports Aircraft

Look forward for a single vehicle to travel through all the 3 means of transport

CON A5 is a facinating creation of ICON Aircraft. ICON A5 is a lightweight sports aircraft. The two-seat, amphib airplane has been designed mainly to be predictable and very easy to fly. The worldclass aerospace design amaze the professional pilots and cutting-edge industrial desing appeals the mass. This is for those people who like to have their own airplane. With the ICON A5, the flying will be so much hasslefree that the pilot will be enjoying more fun at the sky. Even flying of these machines does not require any professional license in Aviation. The pilot only requires to have Sport Pilot Locense (SPL) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and about 20 hours sports pilot training with no strict medical checkup.

This lightwaight aircraft has maximun takeoff weight of 1320 pound. The flight power comes from 100-hp Rotax 912 ULS engine. The craft can reach a maximum speed of 120 knots or 138 mile per hour. The engine runs on both automotive and aviation gasoline. It can reach maximum altitude of 15000 feet, but as aviation rules by FAA, sports aircrafts cannot fly over 10000 feet.

The cockpit is equipped only with the essential instruments, making much more comfortable and spacious design. As mentioned earlier, it can land on water as well. The wings are fold-able and can be done within 5 minutes manually. But there is also automation option, if you land on water. With the folded wings, the aircraft can be kept at a large garage. The plane is equipped with the latest safety features. This comes with the propeller guard and wing angle of attack indicator. Most of all it is equipped a built-in huge parachute for the entire plane in emergency.

If you are willing to buy a ICON A5, you have to spend just a few thousands dollar. This aircraft is relatively affordable. The estimated cost of this sports plane is $139,000 only. Surely the ICON A5 is the ultimate recreational vehicle in today's economy and sky.

Heading towards a green energy

PS20 is the world’s largest solar tower, providing power to 10,000 homes. With 1,255 mirrors called heliostats relaying the sun’s rays to the top of the tower, it’s twice the size of its sister tower, the PS10.

The current energy output the PS20 generates is 20 megawatts of electricity. Future energy projects in the area hope to boost that output to 300 megawatts in 2013. If 20 megawatts of electricity can power 10,000 homes, then by 2013, 150,000 houses will have their power provided by these alternative sources.

MIT - Concept City Cars

MIT has developed futuristic concept: an electric two-passenger vehicle called the City Car, which can 'stack' together with other City Cars to form a more socially responsible way of getting around town.

It involves 'stacks' which are placed around a city, receive incoming City Cars, and charge them up again. Then commuters simply hop in the fully charged vehicle at the front of the stack and drive off: The idea is similar to airport luggage trolleys, although they're keen to stress it's not a straight replacement for cars, taxis, buses or trucks.

It's also got Wheel Robots inside...

They fully integrated in-wheel electric motors and suspension systems" which "eliminate the need for traditional drive train configurations like engine blocks, gear boxes, and differentials because they are self-contained, digitally controlled and reconfigurable".

They also allow omni-directional steering too, which should make parking a breeze.

The technology is apparently patent-pending and "under design development" at MIT's Media Lab

Don't have enough space for building new city? Floating city is the new solution.

The pace with which world population is growing, combining with increasing water level of seas and oceans due to global warming, we sooner or later will have to discover some new places or find new ways to accommodate more people in the days to come. As one quandary gives way to some new solutions, floating structures have emerged as an innovative way out that will not just solve the issue of lessening land worldwide but also promises to offer a mesmerizing living experience to their residents. Here are some of the most interesting floating structures that fulfilling all the needs will turn out to be an abode for its residents.

Lilypad

Proposed as a “Floating Ecopolis for Climate Refugees”, the Lilypad can house about 50,000 inhabitants. The stunning retreat seeks a place for itself in the year 2100 when half the world’s existing shorelines have disappeared due to raising sea level.

Underwater City

The ‘Underwater City’ in Bulgaria is a similar revolutionary town that is ‘built in the middle of a lake, not on an island, but actually below water level’. Though, the city isn’t fully under water, a huge dam (1,377 feet in diameter and 65 in height) around the city, will keep the water away from the living area that can be accessed only through water transportation.

Aerohotel

Floating Aerohotel by Alexander Asadov is a marvelous architectural design that will be a landmark for the floating structures of the future. Featuring the 200 meters wide central body sitting on various beams, resembling a bicycle wheel with supporting arms, the Aerohotel will enclose cafes, restaurants and winter gardens, alongside the key hotel.

Floating Houses

Inspired by the potential of the energy independence created by solar power, the Floating Houses project created by SolarLab conceptualizes a free floating habitat that can potentially extend the boundaries of existing living spaces.

Waterpod

Waterpod floating house is a triple-domed island that will fulfill all its energy requirements from natural sources. Finished with recycled wood, metal, plastic, fabric and other materials, the Waterpod will support alternative energy and vertical agriculture irrigated by the purified water from the Hudson River.

Hydropolis underwater hotel

Anywhere but Dubai, the idea of building a luxury hotel 66 feet underwater would sound far-fetched. But next to the Burj-al-arab, the rotating skyscraper, manufactured islands and indoor ski slopes of the desert commerce capital, the Hydropolis will fit right in. At a rough cost of UK£300 million, this jaw-dropping engineering challenge will allow guests to get a true taste for the peace and beauty of underwater life – and at a projected pricetag of up to USD$5500 per night for a room, you’d certainly be hoping that life is much better down where it’s wetter.

AZ Island

AZ Island is a concept of an artificial island that’s capable of movement out at sea. AZ Island is the brainchild of Jean-Philippe Zoppini, who is working in conjunction with the company Alstom Marine to realize his dream. The man-made floating wonder is huge in proportions. If conceived, it will measure 400m X 300m; capable enough to house 10,000 passengers simultaneously on its surface.

Mermaid-Inspired Aquatic Building

European firm, JDS Architects’ Mermaid building is in a way both ridiculous and incredibly thought-provoking. The renderings of the Mermaid show the building in every extreme biome on earth — from tropical islands to glacial surroundings. The building boasts terraces of greenery, a dolphinarium, hotel, and vacation properties. Is this just a glorified cruise ship? (With somewhat suspect structural support?) Or a new model for private development that truly is responsive to its aquatic surroundings?

Zero-emission Floating Paradise, England

The design spectrum for green structures is really widening with growing global concern in energy saving and emission-free designs. This is no longer just a ecologically sound venture, but it makes even great economic sense as it attracts plenty of attention from both domestic and global media. Irrespective of the primary motive, it is still wonderful that the environment is benefiting from all this; even if that is by default.

Jelly-fish 45 Habitat

Bargain! Designed by Giancarlo Zema, the “Jelly-fish 45 Habitat” comprises five separate levels all connected by a snazzy spiral staircase. The floors are split into cheesy zone-titled areas including study, night, day, guest and viewing quarters. Though, if you purchase the floating mansion, you may abide by whichever nomenclature you wish. The viewpoint stretches 3m below the surface and looks jellyfish-like fantastic. The colossal seat-in-the-sea stands 10m high and 15m wide.

Floating Solar Home

Dubbed the SolarHome, the 75m2 homes won’t be as spacious as the home you are currently living in, but will keep you floating on solar-power for a period of six to 12 months, before you’ll have to come back to shore for supplies. The design feature off-the-grid solar living while floating on water all through the year. The home can be operated in two modes – Docked Mode, which requires you to connect to the infrastructure for power and supplies and a Self-Sufficient Mode, which enables you to run off-the-grid for a year.

Eco-Island City

Wolf Hibertz wants to use the oceans as a future site for homes. The visionary designer has found a way to use sunlight to turn minerals in seawater into limestone. The limestone would be used to construct floating island homes. Autopia Ampere would begin as a series of wire-mesh armatures anchored on top a sea mountain. After it is place, they will be connected to a low-voltage direct current supplied by solar panels.

Floating City for Shanghai World Expo

A team of Dutch designers recently revealed a plan to build a floating city on Shanghai’s Huangpu River. If built, the city will debut during World Expo Shanghai 2010. The floating city will have many green elements — it will use the water of the river for cooling and it the city will make use of renewable energy.

Floating and rotating hoteltower, Dubai

A 25 stories high floating hotel tower rotates 1 degree every minute. The floating foundation measures only 6 meter in depth. A fixed floating boulevard-ring connects the shore with the tower. The construction of steel and glass has been designed and engineered with well-known Dutch international maritime engineering companies, which results in a stable tower.