Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton long-range drone completes first flight (video)

DNP  Northrop Grumman's MQ4C Triton longrange drone completes first flight

Northrop Grumman’s MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft is one step closer to serving the Navy in reconnaissance and surveillance missions, having just completed its first flight. The drone spent 80 minutes in the air, reaching an altitude of 20,000 feet. That’s child’s play compared to the aircraft’s full potential: according to the Navy, it can soar at up to 60,000 feet and stay airborne for as long as 30 hours, due in no small part to its 130-foot wingspan. By 2015, the Triton will undergo operational testing and evaluation, and the Navy hopes to add additional aircraft to its existing fleet (currently just two strong). Check out the long-range spy plane in action just past the break.

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Source: Defense Tech

RED5 remote control plane can fly like an eagle, spy like one too

RED5 Spy Hawk

RED5’s Spy Hawk might look like the stuff of a hobbyist’s dreams, but it’s not such an innocent craft. The remote control glider does precisely what its moniker implies, melding one part recreation with that other time-honored tradition: espionage. That’s right, aspiring CIA-types can get a headstart gathering intel by relaying video captured with the nose-embedded, 5-megapixel camera to the transmitter’s built-in 3.5-inch LCD screen. And lest that precious recon get lost, an included 4GB SD card will let you safely save it all for a rainy blackmail kinda day. There’s also an autopilot stabilization feature to keep it upright in windy conditions, but temper your excitement, as the drone’s 7.4v Li-ion battery is only rated for 15 minutes of uninterrupted privacy invading flight time. If you’re spidey senses are a-tinglin’ just knowing this sneaky toy plane exists, prepare to make peace with $305 (£249) and pre-order at the source below.

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RED5 remote control plane can fly like an eagle, spy like one too originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 21:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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