3 ms·
Appears to be an idea that's been around before [1] - might be interesting to build a smaller scale one that's explicitly for drone swarms. [1] http://paleofut
by saycheese 10y ago
Appears to be an idea that's been around before [1] - might be interesting to build a smaller scale one that's explicitly for drone swarms.
[1] http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/these-circular-runways-were-designed-to-catapult-planes-1679960133 http://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/these-circular-runways-were-d...
- microcolonel 10y agoFor fixed-wing drone airports, I feel like you'd have better luck making an inclined runway for landings, and a railgun-assisted runway for takeoff. Given that the biggest challenge is finding clearance at both ends of the run way, it would be nice not to have to find 360° clearance for both takeoff and landing.
- dingaling 10y agoRe: drones, Flight Refueling in the UK had a target-practice UAV called Falconet in the 1980s that launched from a circular runway. It rested on a dolly secured by a cable to the central post and whirled around until take-off. I think a couple of installations were built but most customers chose a more conventional rocket-boosted dolly for straight runways.