Thursday, September 11, 2014

Chinese Inflatable Drone

Chinese engineer Zhang Bingyan from the Chinese Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence unveiled a brand new type of drone at the Tianjin International UAV exhibition in August, 2014. The unique aspect of the Sf-1 design is that it is inflatable.  Despite being filled with nothing but air and weighing only 90kg, it is able to reach speeds of 190km/h (120m/h) and is surprisingly manoeuvrable.  Whilst it looks like a large Li-lo in the sky, it will be interesting to see how such technology is used in the area of reconnaissance.  Video of a test flight for the Sf-1 can be seen here - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2745157/Now-s-AIRplane-Homemade-inflatable-drone-reaches-speeds-120mph.html#v-3769493192001 

Photo credit : Daily Mail UK