Hasta La Gadget!

The military certainly has its fair share of “big boys’ toys”, so to speak, where there are weapons and technology which the world knows nothing about – unless it is by chance or force that such weapons and technological wizardry are revealed. In fact, the advancement of technology in recent years have done a whole lot to change the map of the battlefield – pilotless drones are now used to scout an area ahead of time, as well as to deliver a payload without risking the life of a human being sitting inside a real cockpit, and GPS too, has helped missiles be even more accurate. As for getting around, well, tanks and planes aren’t exactly the quietest rides in town, but how about motorcycles? Logos Technologies has received a small business innovation research (SBIR) grant from DARPA (the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) in order to work on a military-use hybrid-electric motorcycle that has near-silent capability.

It is hoped by DARPA that this particular technology, when it matures fully, will enable tiny, distributed military teams to move long distances in the shortest time possible, all the while remaining stealth as they make their way across harsh enemy terrain.

Specially developed in partnership with San Francisco-based all-electric motorcycle producer BRD, this particular platform will merge Logos Technologies’ quieted, multifuel hybrid-electric power system alongside a cutting-edge, off-road electric motorcycle platform that has been developed by BRD. This particular initiative is said to be the first time that a two-wheel-drive, multifuel hybrid capability has been integrated into a full-size off-road motorcycle – successfully, to boot.

The hybrid-electric idea also paves the way for extended periods of near-silent, electric-only-propulsion, in addition to the generation of supplemental electric power for use by personnel in the field. No idea on how much such a bike will cost eventually, but if it is going to help win wars, there is no price tag issue left anymore, is there?

Press Release
[ Near silent hybrid electric motorcycle in the works copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

You can say that military powers around the world are bent on creating and developing stealth vehicles, be it over the sea, land or air. After all, if your enemy is unable to see you or detect your presence, it gives you the first mover advantage as well as the element of surprise – crucial elements in securing a victory on any battlefield. The PL0-01 tank is a prototype stealth tank that goes one up on what we have seen so far – it claims to be able to disguise itself to look like a car, and can seem as though it has ‘disappeared’ with but a touch of a button.

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P0-01 Stealth Tank Is A Master Of Disguise original content from Ubergizmo.

Perhaps because it was built in secret and designed to be invisible, the stealth bomber is unforgettable the moment you see it. What few remember, though, is that the iconic silhouette almost looked like this. Here’s the story of how Senior Peg came to be, why we didn’t get it, and why we might want it back.

Read more…

We have seen stealth fighter jets and stealth bombers in the past, but here we are with word that Canada’s military has started to test their $620,000 stealth snowmobile which relies on electric motors to sneak up on enemies. The new machines must be tested in a way against current machines for noise, speed, endurance, and being able make the switch to stealth ‘silent mode’ in a jiffy. Apart from that, since this is meant to be a stealth snowmobile, its full capabilities of the Arctic warfare capabilities remain under wraps as a secret .

The whole idea behind this stealth snowmobile is to enable troops to covertly operate in Arctic conditions, and each of these machines would cost a whopping $620,000, being one of the first few silent hybrid-electric versions of a snowmobile. So far, initial tests were carried out across different snow conditions at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, and according to the defence report’s requirements, “the prototype must be at least nearly as capable and reliable as a standard internal combustion snowmobile, while providing a significant noise reduction.” Solid Snake could have made good use of one of these puppies back in his first Metal Gear Solid outing on the Sony PlayStation, don’t you think so?

Canada Tests Stealth Snowmobile original content from Ubergizmo.

After limbering up with taxi tests since December, the X-47B unmanned combat air system has finally taken off from an aircraft carrier, making it the first pilotless plane to have successfully done so, and with a catapult launch to boot. Despite the craft’s ability to fly on its own, it was controlled by a human aboard the George H.W. Bush after it was flung from the ship. Once in the air, the Northrop Grumman-built craft was guided back for a landing on a runway planted on terra firm. Now that the bird’s proved it can handle launches at sea, other excursions will put the automatic navigation and landing features through their paces. Hit the break for a video of the X-47B taking to the skies.

Filed under: Misc, Transportation

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Source: IEEE Spectrum, US Navy (YouTube)