Although they are a heck of a lot of fun to play with, RC helicopters like the Draganflyer is saving lives and solving crimes. It saves lives by reducing human exposure to hazards and helps solve crime by giving investigators a bird's eye view.
Draganflyer-x8 is an eight bladed RC helicopter that carries a digital video transmission IP camera system. This means it can take digital photos while simultaneously recording video. It can also carry infrared and low light cameras for night search and rescue operations. Four brushless electric motors power eight counter rotating carbon fiber rotor blades which lets the Draganfly move through the air with minimal noise. This makes it the perfect recon platform for swat teams who need to gather intelligence without being detected. Draganfly's phenomenal stability and maneuverability is achieved by varying the speed of each individual rotor and an array of on board sensors which include GPS, one barometric sensor, three accelerometers, three gyros, and three magnetometers. Engage the hover hold function and the GPS will lock the Draganfly into a three dimensional position for as long as needed. Another remarkable feature of this RC helicopter is its ability to auto land.
So who is using this technology and what are they using it for?
1. Law Enforcement
繚 Accident scene analysis
繚 Crime scene analysis
繚 Swat team recon
繚 Bomb squad recon
2. Fire and Emergency Services
繚 Fire damage assessment
繚 Hazmat recon
繚 Fire investigation
繚 Fire scene control
3. Real Estate Applications
繚 Golf course promotion
繚 Real estate promotion
繚 Property assessment
4. Professional Photography and Video
繚 Wild life
繚 Weddings
繚 Music videos
繚 News media
繚 Advertising
5. Education
繚 Advanced UAV research
繚 Colleges
繚 Universities
繚 Technical institutes
Ok, so you still think a RC helicopter is just a toy? What if our toy weighed 6,000 lbs. and was powered by an 813 shaft horse power Rolls Royce turbine engine? It would be called Fire-x, The Northrop Grumman and the Bell Textron-owned vertical unmanned air system (VUAS).
Fire-x is a fully autonomous unmanned helicopter. It combines all the outstanding capabilities of the Bell 407 with the US Navy's Northrop Grumman MQ-8B fire Scout UAV. This meaning the Fire-x can carry a useful load of 3,000 lbs. or recon up to 16 hours or carry 2500 lbs. of internal or external cargo up to 110 nm. On December 10, 2010 at the Yuma Proving Grounds in AZ. the fire-x lifted off for the first time. With many more tests to go the fire-x is not operational yet but in the air only 11 months after its inception is a fantastic start.
Imagine your child with the biggest smile you have ever seen on their face as they dive and climb that RC helicopter around the back yard. Now picture a US Special Forces Ranger guiding his Fire-x through the mountains.
So I ask again, RC helicopters, toys or tools?
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