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Analysis of Wing Span and Engine:
The wings of the have a glider type of shape: long and narrow. As seen in the picture below, the gliders wing shape is very similar to the glider compared to the conventional plane. This shape has the advantage of having a high fuel efficiency and the ability to travel to higher altitudes. Lets take a look at why using the primary lift equation: L = (1/2)* d* s* CL* v^2, where(* = multiplication):
The wings of the have a glider type of shape: long and narrow. As seen in the picture below, the gliders wing shape is very similar to the glider compared to the conventional plane. This shape has the advantage of having a high fuel efficiency and the ability to travel to higher altitudes. Lets take a look at why using the primary lift equation: L = (1/2)* d* s* CL* v^2, where(* = multiplication):
- L = Lift, which must equal the airplane's weight in pounds
- d = density of the air. This will change due to altitude. These values can be found in a I.C.A.O. Standard Atmosphere Table.
- v = velocity of an aircraft expressed in feet per second
- s = the wing area of an aircraft in square feet
- CL = Coefficient of lift , which is determined by the type of airfoil and angle of attack.
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The Control Stick
The MQ-1 predator is controlled remotely by two pilots: the aircraft pilot and the sensor pilot. The control stick, conventionally used to control manned aircraft or video games, is used for piloting an MQ-1 Predator, along with many other controls, panels, and screens. However, the basic connection between man and machine in the MQ-1 is essentially no different than playing a video game. With this "re-jigged" piece of technology, the MQ-1 Predator is, by definition, an extension of the human body. Professor Schanks refers to the human trend to make bionic artifacts. However, his idea of "bionic" is more broad than the generally accepted definition. In week 1, he discussed how humans have always been "cyborgs". The hand axe from pre-historic humans is an example of how humans are "cyborgs". Even though the hand axe may not fit our contemporary definition of what it means to be a cyborg, the hand axe is like a cyborg in the sense that it extends the capabilities of the human wielding this tool. The hand axe, not much more than sharpened flint, is an extension of the fingernails that scrape, or the teeth that cut. In our example, the MQ-1 is an extension of the body; extending the person controlling the craft across the globe, placing them 25,000 ft in the air with visual sensors that can see targets on the ground miles away, and fire two Hellfire missiles with pin-point. The ultimate hand axe.
The MQ-1 predator is controlled remotely by two pilots: the aircraft pilot and the sensor pilot. The control stick, conventionally used to control manned aircraft or video games, is used for piloting an MQ-1 Predator, along with many other controls, panels, and screens. However, the basic connection between man and machine in the MQ-1 is essentially no different than playing a video game. With this "re-jigged" piece of technology, the MQ-1 Predator is, by definition, an extension of the human body. Professor Schanks refers to the human trend to make bionic artifacts. However, his idea of "bionic" is more broad than the generally accepted definition. In week 1, he discussed how humans have always been "cyborgs". The hand axe from pre-historic humans is an example of how humans are "cyborgs". Even though the hand axe may not fit our contemporary definition of what it means to be a cyborg, the hand axe is like a cyborg in the sense that it extends the capabilities of the human wielding this tool. The hand axe, not much more than sharpened flint, is an extension of the fingernails that scrape, or the teeth that cut. In our example, the MQ-1 is an extension of the body; extending the person controlling the craft across the globe, placing them 25,000 ft in the air with visual sensors that can see targets on the ground miles away, and fire two Hellfire missiles with pin-point. The ultimate hand axe.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/9/6/26965666/4834732.jpg?292)
Stealth
Although the Predator UAV is capable of many different things, it also has implications that are not completely physical. The Predator may be able to physically take live footage of enemies or fire missiles at targets, it also does more than that. Because of its awkward shape and matt gray finish, the Predator poses as an odd and mysterious machine, not to mention the fact that their is no pilot inside of it. To enemies, it is seen as a harbinger, an ominous eye always looking down. In one instance during the Iraqi War, dozens of Iraqi soldiers surrendered to a US Pioneer UAV. The UAV was operated by the USS Wisconsin, which sent out the Pioneer from far off of the coast of Kuwait. The UAV was to scout out and find targets for the 2,000 lb artillery shells of the USS Wisconsin to fire upon. However, after seeing the devastating affects the artillery fire had on neighboring troops, these Iraqi soldiers realized what the presence of the Pioneer drone meant, and decided that they did not want meet the same fait and surrendered by waving white shirts and bedsheets up at the UAV. Not only do UAVs posses great power in collecting information and launching offensive attacks, its also possesses a the power to incite awe and fear into those that run across it on the battlefield.
Although the Predator UAV is capable of many different things, it also has implications that are not completely physical. The Predator may be able to physically take live footage of enemies or fire missiles at targets, it also does more than that. Because of its awkward shape and matt gray finish, the Predator poses as an odd and mysterious machine, not to mention the fact that their is no pilot inside of it. To enemies, it is seen as a harbinger, an ominous eye always looking down. In one instance during the Iraqi War, dozens of Iraqi soldiers surrendered to a US Pioneer UAV. The UAV was operated by the USS Wisconsin, which sent out the Pioneer from far off of the coast of Kuwait. The UAV was to scout out and find targets for the 2,000 lb artillery shells of the USS Wisconsin to fire upon. However, after seeing the devastating affects the artillery fire had on neighboring troops, these Iraqi soldiers realized what the presence of the Pioneer drone meant, and decided that they did not want meet the same fait and surrendered by waving white shirts and bedsheets up at the UAV. Not only do UAVs posses great power in collecting information and launching offensive attacks, its also possesses a the power to incite awe and fear into those that run across it on the battlefield.
Sources:
-http://www.sr-71.org/blackbird/manual/appendix/a4-4.php
-http://www.npr.org/2011/11/29/142858358/drone-pilots-the-future-of-aerial-warfare
-http://www.ga-asi.com/products/aircraft/predator.php
-http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=2100&ct=1
-http://www.sr-71.org/blackbird/manual/appendix/a4-4.php
-http://www.npr.org/2011/11/29/142858358/drone-pilots-the-future-of-aerial-warfare
-http://www.ga-asi.com/products/aircraft/predator.php
-http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=1100&tid=2100&ct=1