Comments on: Army Also Wants Bat Recce Capability

By: Bane0311

Bane0311 — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:38:07 +0000

The applications of this tech would be a huge asset on the ground, but i agree with The Cenobyte, we have tech that is the size needed, kid’s toys… a few mods and you have a few hundered dollar spy cam deployable any where… Plus i dont see why we are funding these prodjects… set a challenge, first team to make a spy bat (within required specs) gets the contract… look at the automated vehicle race not to long ago… i realy love the swarm concept, give’em a small weapon to… or mini jammer…

By: Grammaticus

Grammaticus — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:15:23 +0000

@ The Cenobyte:
They’re spending the $10M on shrinking the bat from 12′ to 6 inches:
“The proposal is for the bat to be just six inches in length, weigh only four ounces and use just one watt of power“
The 12′ wingspan comment refers to the size of a ‘recon bat’ if it were produced today. $10M & 5 years will hopefully shrink that 12′ to the target of 6″.

By: The Cenobyte

The Cenobyte — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:45:02 +0000

I don’t understand why they are spending $10 million to develop a 12ft plus wing spand system. When $10 million would buy thosands of remote control planes retail. Sure you need to change the radio and add some things but I think that could be developed quickly. Don’t the marines already have some small rubberband launched planes?

By: WA DT Reader

WA DT Reader — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:32:10 +0000

Combine hundreds or thousands of BATs with GPS and software technology similar to Microsoft’s SEADRAGON. It would create a mosaic image of any combat area. Let the blue force see what is going on in real time before they arrive at another ambush after a roadside bombing. Imagine being able to deploy the BATs via arty rounds or aircraft dropped bombs. We could have several B52’s on station over a hot spot 24–7 ready to launch a recon bat cloud.

By: JB

JB — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:58:06 +0000

I was reflecting on this the other week if a robot with the flight style of say a bird would be technologically possible. I don’t understand why the Army didn’t call upon the Airforce to help develop something of this nature besides the need to fund is beyond me. I’m currently enlisted in the Airforce at the moment, it’d be great once I have my training to help develop this kind of technology for our country. Bravo! Hope to see more from these little devils.

By: Bryan2020

Bryan2020 — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:24:22 +0000

UAV Kamikazes would be cool. Thousands of them swarming Iraq, would instill some fear. “The Birds”, but for real.

By: Jimbo Jones

Jimbo Jones — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:06:17 +0000

Batfink? Wings of steel?

By: campbell

campbell — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:14:59 +0000

oh hit me! hit me! just can’t resist observing that ARMY’s always been batty anyway.
Semper Fi babe!