Geoff Hatton is currently developing a real live working flying saucer. And it’s actually quite a cool bit of tech, no sign of aluminium beanie hats anywhere. His company GFS Projects has just grabbed some headlines because the US military visited his factory to see what he’s up to. Doesn’t mean a thing in the long run of course, but hey, the videos are still pretty neat.
The GFS UAV Our UAV is capable of vertical take off, fully controlled flight, hovering and landing on a specified point. By using the Coanda principle to create lift, it has very little downwash and is aerodynamically stable. To date all prototypes have been battery powered, but the design is scalable and the larger versions will have internal combustion engines. Applications and uses The craft will be most useful in urban environments, where its ability to hover and fly close to and within buildings will enable close quarter surveillance and intelligence gathering. Having no exposed rotating parts, brushes with walls etc., do not compromise the craft’s flight.