News & Articles

Real Flying Saucers, Supersonic Fighters, and Battle Birds

Sometimes the things we see in action movies are real. No, really! Check out these actual military forces like a flying saucer prototype, the supersonic F35C Lightning II stealth fighter and a nano air vehicle modeled after a hummingbird. Don't get any crazy ideas about becoming a movie action hero.

The U.S. Air Force on July 23 released a report detailing the potential future use of unmanned drones as bombers, cargo transports and in attacking "swarms." The market for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) has surged over the last decade, driven by proven operational successes in Iraq and Afghanistan and by Israel's extensive usage. The total UAS market (air vehicles, ground control equipment and payloads) is expected to be worth $55 billion through 2020.

Barely an hour's drive from the casinos of Las Vegas, a group of unassuming buildings have become as important as the trenches were to WWI. The big difference? Today's warriors are fighting without getting in harm's way, using drones to attack targets in Afghanistan and Pakistan

KIRKUK - Launching an unmanned aircraft by throwing it in the air really hard might not sound too technologically advanced, but with surveillance equipment and auto navigational systems on board, these easily-deployable UAVs can be the difference between life and death on the battlefields of Iraq.

This aircraft, known as a "Raven," is operated by two Soldiers here with the 1st Cavalry Division, who use it as an "eye in the sky" around the base.

U.S. forces in Afghanistan are relying more than ever on surveillance aircraft as they seek out insurgents, from cutting-edge drone technology to the venerable U-2 spy plane, according to interviews and information released at USA TODAY's request.

For Kristen Helsel, all roads lead to electric chargers - political, social and technological roads, that is. And electric cars will be on those roads.

The cars of the future will run on electricity, most major automakers agree on that. What they don't agree on is how soon drivers will be ready to fully embrace electric power and how aggressively to push electric cars.