Saturday, February 7, 2009

We need the real Q

There is a challenging design project outhere. Not everyone can afford it, but it gives something to think about. The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has issued a "broad agency announcement" requesting "a concept design and proposals for proof of concept experiments" for a submersible aircraft. They want an aircraft that can reach a destination, whether it is 1,850km away by air or 185km by sea or 22km travelling underwater, in less than 8 hours." The vehicle must be capable of "carrying a crew of eight and 2,000lb of payload," and "would use a snorkel to provide its powerplant's air supply while submerged at shallow depths once at its target." It sounds more like a project for a James Bond movie but no, it is a real project so, all the wanna be "Qs", at your drawing table (or computer), get set, GO! You can visit www.darpa.mil for more information.