NASA's Greased Lightning drone hovers like a helicopter, flies like a plane

[TwistedDictator]

 

NASA has built the spork of the skies. The GL-10 or Greased Lightning is a 28kg, battery-powered drone prototype that can switch between helicopter and airplane modes, giving the aircraft the maneuverability and vertical take-off capabilities of a chopper, as well as the speed and endurance of a plane. Although the GL-10's hover tests were reported last year, NASA says the craft has now made its first successful mid-flight transitions from helicopter to airplane-mode. "So far we have done this on five flights," said aerospace engineer Bill Fredericks in a statement. "We were ecstatic."

 

NASA Langley researchers designed and built a battery-powered, 10-engine remotely piloted aircraft. The Greased Lightning GL-10 prototype has a 10-foot wingspan and can take off like a helicopter and fly efficiently like an airplane. In this video, engineers successfully transition the plan from hover to wing-borne flight in tests at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia.

So they basically have a drone that can switch between "helicopter and airplane modes, giving the aircraft the maneuverability and vertical take-off capabilities of a chopper, as well as the speed and endurance of a plane." I dont like drones as the US wont be using it for the right reason in the future but that is for another chapter lol

[Pugs501]

(*v*)

[ImBleu]

Nasa should fire their product naming department. 

[NIC ROBERTOOO]

At least the chicks will cream for it.

[Delusional Phil]

(*v*)

Exactly how I feel after reading that ...

[cesrai]

Sees the title * I wonder how*

 

Sees the design *ohh*

[isHypnophobic]

Welp, I'm off to play some Kerbal Space Program and copy that sucka. This was the inspiration I needed!!

[Ohlyver]

This , kind of product as been in the RC market for two years at least ... Sure it is not a drone but the concept is already there and available which make me think that this NASA project is a big copy/paste project

[MEC-777]

Basically a scaled down version of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNEIgklBTSg

 

Very cool, none-the-less.

[Misanthrope]

Wouldn't this fly out of range pretty quickly though? I guess this is more for the gps programmed folk

[Ohlyver]

Wouldn't this fly out of range pretty quickly though? I guess this is more for the gps programmed folk

No because the nice thing about drones is that they can fly themselves if nobody takes the manual control. Also, considering this is built by NASA, I expect it to be connected by satellite meaning that you can control it as long you don't fly it in a tunnel..

[Admiral Naismith]

Wouldn't this fly out of range pretty quickly though? I guess this is more for the gps programmed folk

I was hoping someone would point this out. Not exactly the newest technology out there.

[aahrg]

No because the nice thing about drones is that they can fly themselves if nobody takes the manual control. Also, considering this is built by NASA, I expect it to be connected by satellite meaning that you can control it as long you don't fly it in a tunnel..

So I guess this one won't work (@ 2:20) https://youtu.be/W_OVVHpXw4E?t=140

[Maslofski]

holy shit thats a big drone, now it just needs a 8K camera with giant lense.

 

i totaly read it as NSAs new drone in the title, lol

[winningsince1337]

VTOL aircraft are not new. Surprised NASA is blowing money on this shit. Enthusiasts have designed and built these for years.... 

[Wojethebest]

This isn't new and isn't hard to make. I was actually going to make myself one but I didn't have enough money.

[Ashaira]

wrap it up. i'll take 7.

[MeltingPoint]

First thing that came to mind when I say the picture is the Boeing Osprey. 

[han_han08]

toooy

[Bouzoo]

When I read the title I was like what?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK63eUyk-iM

[Admiral Naismith]

Basically a scaled down version of this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNEIgklBTSg

 

Very cool, none-the-less.

Just realized I quoted the wrong person....

 

Anyways, I was hoping someone would point this out.