Important Innovations

Combat Surveillance Source:  Russia Add caption Bird of Pre y Russia has designed a new combat surveillance drone that has the appearance of a snowy owl.  The drone was just unveiled at the Defense Ministry's annual military expo in Moscow. UAV that's Laser Equipped The drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle.  It's equipped with a laser in its tail that can guide artillery,  laser-guided bombs and aircraft to swoop in for an attack.  Russia's Defense Ministry says it will be able to spot targets without being detected. Portable This new device weighs only 5 kilograms and can be handled, carried and launched by one person.  It can fly up to 40 minutes and has a range of 12 miles.  It's one of Russia's new military assets now on display at the expo.

Robotics Gliders Soaring Like Birds Source:  Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Photo Montage University of California Scientists Train Autonomous Gliders to Fly Like an Eagle This is very important research that may have ramifications in terms of navigational systems and artificial intelligence for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's).  Physicists at the University of California San Diego have taught robotic gliders to soar like birds.  Using reinforcement learning, the gliders ride rising currents of warm air to soar just like birds.  For a great news blog, go to Important Innovations Collection: Robotic Gliders Flying Like Birds : Physicists Train Autonomous Gliders to Soar Like Eagles Source:  Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Photo Montage New Navigational ...