credit: Mod
On Thursday 14 August the UK's Ministry of Defence held its media day for its Grand Challenge competition that was conducted from 16-18 August with the winner being announced on the 19th.
credit: Flight
The media arrive at about 0930h at Copehill Down village on Salisbury Plain in England on 14 August 2008 for the media day
credit: Flight
Walking through the village to the demonstration area points of interest had been put in place for us to spot along the way
credit: Flight
Once at the demonstration area the UK broadcast media were lined up along a line in the demonstration area before the unmanned air vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles got going.
credit: Flight
The Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA) was using a Geoff's Flying Saucer Project coanda effect unmanned air vehicle but this one pictured below is the internal combustion powered UAV that was not flown. Although shown further work is needed on its flight stability before it is demonstrated.
credit: Flight
UK technology company Qinetiq's Team Cortex demonstrated one of its tail sitting fixed-wing dual rotor unmanned air vehicle prototypes as its competitive vehicle did not compete because it crashed.
credit: Flight
Quadrotors were being used by two teams, London based-Swarm Systems and the University of Manchester's Tumbleweed
credit: Mod
Below is one of Peterborough based-Geoff's Flying Saucer (GFS) Project lithium polymer battery powered prototype coanda effect UAVs. With private and US military funding GFS Project is now working on its internal combustion version (see above). The MIRA team used the GFS Project UAV for its competitive entry.
credit: Mod
MIRA also had a UGV and a lighter-than-air vehicle.
credit: Flight
The winner of the Grand Challenge is to be announced on Tuesday 19 August 2008
Leave a comment
Want a user picture? Get a Gravatar!