Replies to This Discussion

3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on September 13, 2008 at 9:14pm

That is a GREAT idea. Anyone up for it?

• ▶ Reply

AdminPermalink Reply by Thomas J Coyle III on September 14, 2008 at 1:48pm

Hi all,

Is it possible to take an existing R/C model and mod it to look like a Raven?

The thing that I like is that the Raven is a 1/1 R/C-autonomous airplane without being a scale model like the Predator.

Maybe a kit house will come out with a Raven platform that can be use directly as a small UAV.

Regards,
TCIII

• ▶ Reply

ModeratorPermalink Reply by Sgt Ric on September 14, 2008 at 7:37pm

The more I think about it, that is a pretty stable looking platform.
The wing sits nice and high above the centre of gravity.

I've never scratch built a model, but for those blue-foamers out there, this should be a snap.
...maybe add an off-the-shelf glider wing?

(Reminds me of an old-timer free-flight design from the 50's)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by bGatti on September 14, 2008 at 8:59pm

The Raven has a low tail, which, in my experience, means a bit more trouble landing, perhaps a tendency to clip the tail feathers, or come in hot. With a low tail, a V Tail would be durable.

It should be described as a camera case with wings.

• ▶ Reply

3D RoboticsPermalink Reply by Chris Anderson on September 14, 2008 at 9:23pm

A picture is called for:

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Patrick Egan on September 14, 2008 at 10:13pm

I got to fly one at Dryden, my impression was that of a FMA copilot turned up almost all the way while fpv-ing. I’m sure one of the guys over at RCGroups could bust one out lighter and cheaper.

Ranger AV, may not like that Yogi…

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Nick Lewis on March 24, 2009 at 6:25pm

Does anyone have the dimensions for the Raven? I have the time to put into one, but can't find any specs to build from.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Cheetah223 on March 25, 2009 at 9:46am

I might be able to pull them out. I have three of the complete systems sitting in my room right now. I'll see if I can find the specs in any of the manuals before I pull out a tape measure, but I'll do what I can to get the size specs (and weight, I know that's in the manual - somewhere just over 5lbs if I recall) in the next couple of days.

The thing I liked about the Raven (which is the reason I joined this site..) is the interchangeable nosecones. You see in the picture above it's got two camera ports that can be switched during flight at any time from front to side view, each bird also comes with an IR camera, and some of the older nosecones have a single color camera for daytime that you have to turn to either front or side view before flight.

One of the design characteristics of the Raven is that it's supposed to come apart upon landing/crashing. Landing them is nothing more than a glorified crash. They're designed to have cheap and easily replaceable parts so that when a wing does break, you just swap it out and keep flying. Once a bird is too beat up we send it back to the guys who make them, they overhaul it and replace the parts we don't have the ability to, and they send it back out to another unit, kind of a constant support cycle that rotates birds for repairs so you have a quick turnaround and you're never without your planes..

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Rory Paul on March 25, 2009 at 12:35pm

@Cheetah223

Can you define "cheap"? How much does a wing go for on a Raven? I bet it is a tab more then a replacement for a Super Fly at the local hobby shop. Sorry just a tax payer who is of the opinion that AV and the like has been charging way too much for their toys....

Stay safe!

C.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Cheetah223 on March 26, 2009 at 9:04am

Per part, I cannot say how much a replacement would cost. I can look into it and see if I can come back with an answer, but I know the entire system, to include a brand new bird with GCS, batteries and all accessories (which include a Toshiba Toughbook laptop, not cheap on their own by any means) totals out around $15,000. I can tell you that on a small unit level (companies of <200 Marines) these units are invaluable in finding weapons caches, inspecting possible IEDs and VBIEDs, as well as familiarizing ourselves with a new area of operations. Where I agree, many of the "toys" the military has are overpriced and worthless, this is one piece of kit I'm glad we have.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Don Vincent on April 19, 2009 at 6:02am

I Started Building a 1/1 working model of this about a year ago. Got busy had to Stop for a while. I've been Trying to get a 3pc Foam Core Wing Made. I Spoke with a Guy online who said he could Make it No problem, then Couldnt get his attention to get an exact price or other Info ever since then. I Know the Foam Wing wouldnt Match the Original Raven EXACTLY (Thickness part), BUT It Would certainly be Close enough.
HERE are Some of the Specs for the RQ-11:

Wing Span 4 ft 3 in
Length 3 ft 7 in
Weight 4.2 lb
Engine Aveox 27/26/7-AV electric motor
Cruising speed 60 mph
Range 6.2 miles

Hope that helps. Send me pics of your progress when you get some.
Thanks
Don V

• ▶ Reply

AdminPermalink Reply by Thomas J Coyle III on April 19, 2009 at 7:27am

Hi Don,

I am presently learning to fly an Easy Star, but would be very interested in your design and components if you can get any made.

Please keep us informed as to your progress.

Regards,
TCIII

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• …
• 7
• Next ›
• Page