Have a couple of posts this morning that link new to old.
Think Defence’s first contributing author (Ace Rimmer) produced a very interesting post on the subject of fuel use and sustainability in military equipment.
Future Proofing Defence Capability – Food for Thought
It is a theme we have covered many times since and that particular post looked at fuel cell engines.
Bringing the subject right up to date is the EADS E_Fan on display at the Paris Air Show this week
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LqdgvBxtI8
The aircraft is powered by two 65kg lithium ion battery backs and uses an electric motor driven wheel for ground movement.
The technology is moving on at a rapid pace, how long before the aspiration of an all electric training aircraft is realised.
Then what next?
One could easily imagine an all electric unmanned air vehicle at a similar scale
https://www.flickr.com/photos/airbusgroup/11400625093
https://www.flickr.com/photos/airbusgroup/11400552666
Its an electric A-10 – your favourite airplane TD.
I remember (age showing here) when our pinta was delivered by electric milk-float. Slow and short ranged. Two 65kg battery packs aren’t going to hold a huge amount of charge, but increasing capacity needs bigger batteries which increases weight and needs more power to get airborne which needs bigger batteries…
What might (or not) have been:
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uav-certification-process-starts-200627/
While holding no brief for the Lancer it did look interesting.
However, it went the way of all things.
Looking at this I’m getting an “optionally piloted” feeling. Is anyone else feeling the same?