tim's journal

I want a Draganfly Predator

What if I told you that you could do overhead video at 8000 ft. for $750? This month's Fortune has a facinating article on surveillance cameras all around us. Of particular interest? Draganfly Innovation's Predator with optional eyecam.

Draganfly Innovation's scaled-down Predator looks just like the Predator B you have seen on CNN. And, like its full-size cousin, the scale Predator is flown by a radio system from the ground while it transmits real-time color video and takes high quality still photos. Designed with a low-drag fuselage and V-tail, the Predator is configured to extract the maximum power and endurance available from the flight battery.

Now I wonder if I can use it to do aerial topography mapping? The radio has a 1 mile range. Flight times are up to 1.5 hours with the lithium-polymer battery (an additional $110). You can even get GPS for pre-programmed flight routes - 20-mile range. I found some old pricing - the GPS adds about $7500 to the the total cost. Hey, maybe this can be used to carry express mail. DraganFly Innovation was started by Zenon Dragan (is that his real name?) in his basement in 1998. Here's a profile of the company.

Posted by torque at October 28, 2004 1:08 AM | TrackBack