Uninhabited and computer driven inspiration

[GTX_Admin]

A place for your inspiration

[Kerick]

I have a bunch of rockety things I could bash together for some whiff launch vehicles.
I also have a partially built “Shuttle C” vehicle I started far too many years ago to think about. It would go with my finish things before starting new stuff plan. Probably too far along to qualify but I’ll post a couple pictures anyway.



The pile o' parts.



About what it should look like. Shuttle C was a proposal to reuse timed out Shuttle main engines and recovered SRBs to launch non-crewed cargo vehicles to the ISS and launch satellites and such things that did not need a crew. Without the weight of shuttle wings, tail and crew compartment much more mass could be launched compared to regular STS launches. This way components that were no longer rated for crewed flight could be used one more time and not sit in a warehouse forever.
Hmmm.......  I think I lost my NASA decals. Another trip to Amazon. I need some for my WB-57 build anyway.

[GTX_Admin]

 

[robunos]

What are you using as the 'body' of your Shuttle-C . . . ?
TIA,


cheers,
Robin.

[Frank3k]

Ukrainian Orc eliminator:

[The Big Gimper]

This is majorly cool Ken!!

[ChernayaAkula]

Ukrainian Orc eliminator:

I wonder how difficult it would be to design a laser-guidance kit for drone-dropped RKG-3 grenades with some 3D-printed parts and COTS electronics. Could make them more deadly (hitting weak spots with greater accuracy, more targets per sortie) and more survivable (drones can stay up higher, engagements are shorter).

Same for an airburst proximity fuze for drone-dropped anti-personnel grenades. Would make them much more effective against entrenched infantry.

[raafif]

1916 RAF "bug" & control equipment.

[Kerick]

What are you using as the 'body' of your Shuttle-C . . . ?
TIA,


cheers,
Robin.

The body is PVC pipe wrapped with ribbed evergreen sheet polystyrene. Polystyrene strips were added to break it up a little. Just a couple extra greeblies too.

Edit: The basic kit was the Revell 1/144th scale Space Shuttle with launch pad.

[The Big Gimper]

A few candidates I have in the stash:

[The Big Gimper]

I still have one of these (2 kits in the box). Thinking cap is on.

[Kerick]

Sniper pod and hellfire missiles?
Ukrainian markings?

[GTX_Admin]

Some sources of inspiration:

Uninhabited and Unafraid, (UCAV, UAV, and Drone Aircraft)
Uninhabited and Unafraid, (UGVs and UGCVs)
Uninhabited Naval Vessels

[jcf]

Here's the Ryan types graphic without the Alamy bullshit. Alamy and Getty grab public domain, and copyrighted images,
slap their name on it and claim they own the image and will charge for its use. They're completely unethical scam artists.

[apophenia]

... Alamy and Getty grab public domain, and copyrighted images ... They're completely unethical scam artists.

Backed up by small armies of lawyers who think US law applies globally 

[jcf]

... Alamy and Getty grab public domain, and copyrighted images ... They're completely unethical scam artists.

Backed up by small armies of lawyers who think US law applies globally 

Actually, they primarily use German laws and German law firms.

[raafif]

1943 TD-1 drone (+500pdr bomb)

[jcf]

That's the Interstate TDR-1, it's competitor was the Naval Aircraft Factory TDN-1.

Molt Taylor of Aerocar fame was the electronics and flight control systems project head on the TDR-1 program.

Here's a crappy photo of Molt flying one of the TDR-1 prototypes over the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

[Dr. YoKai]

Ground Forces would like a word. 
DSCF0111 by VileDr.Yo, on Flickr

20140301_01 by VileDr.Yo, on Flickr

[robunos]

OGRE !!


   . . .


cheers,
Robin.

[perttime]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R2-D2

[jcf]

Unmanned F-15 used as a launch platform for a big missile:
https://media.defense.gov/2023/Jan/18/2003146117/-1/-1/1/FLASHBACK_F-15%20GSE.PDF

[Kerick]

Ukrainian Orc eliminator:

Could a drone lift an RPG warhead? Drop that on n the top of a T-72!

[Frank3k]

Some of the newer drones the Ukrainians are using can drop something like an RPG warhead, or multiple grenades. The smaller drones use VOG-17 grenades (used in 30mm grenade launchers) with 3D printed fins. In most situations, the grenade causes minor concussion and often survivable shrapnel wounds, if you get treated and evacuated promptly. It's particularly effective in Ukraine thanks to the lack of medical equipment and training given to the average Russian "soldier"... once injured, they do not get medical treatment or evac.

[Story]

2019

In October, Russia's Scientific Production Association "Android engineering" presented it's newest platform, Marker, designed to be used with robotic technologies. A contingent of multifunctional robotic machines capable of solving combat tasks may be created in Russia by 2025, a source in the defence industry has told Russian media.

https://sputniknews.com/20191123/russia-to-create-contingent-of-combat-robots-by-2025---reports-1077383093.html

February 2021 -
Russia’s cutting edge Marker robotic combat platform will be given an upgrade so it can test the next generation of robots for the Ministry of Defense, Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects CEO Andrei Grigoriyev announced.
Resembling a miniature tank with treads and turrets, the Marker is a robotic platform that provides a springboard for the development of other robotic technologies.
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/02/12/russia-upgrades-marker-robotic-platform/

The future is now
Russian "Marker" combat robots will be deployed to the front lines of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian state media reported on Sunday.
The combat robotic platform will undergo a "baptism of fire" on the battlefields of the Donbas region of Eastern Ukraine, Dmitry Rogozin, the head of the "Tsar Wolves" military advisor group, announced on his Telegram account.

Rogozin, the former head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, added that the "Marker" combat robot "works autonomously" to perform combat missions, as well as locating targets from a distance of around 9.3 miles, according to state news agency TASS. The combat robot can also pinpoint and fire upon enemy targets "in the affected area with its own fire weapons," Rogozin wrote.
https://www.newsweek.com/russia-marker-combat-robot-ukraine-1773878

Looks like it comes in tracked (BMP1 suspension?) and six wheeled flavors.
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=marker+robot+tank