I can't understand how a foam wing with a simple RTL autopilot (not including GoPro) costs $1,250, but that's what Lehmann Aviation from France is now offering. What am I missing?
From Gizmag:
Like the Swinglet CAM UAV, the LA100 follows a pre-programmed flight path, but unlike the Swinglet, the LA100's flight path can't be customized or overridden by remote control. This is because the aircraft is targeted specifically at users with no piloting background. After a few minutes of capturing footage from a height of 80 to 100 meters (262 – 328 ft) with no input from the user on the ground, the hand-launched LA100 returns to the launch site for a horizontal landing.
With the ability to fly at speeds of 20 to 80 km/h (12 – 50 mph) for periods of up to five minutes, the LA100 has a range of up to 0.5 km (0.3 miles). It can also fly in winds of up to 45 km/h (28 mph) and in temperatures from -25° C to 60° C (-13° F to 140° F). The UAV has a wingspan of 92 cm (36 in) and length of 45 cm (18 in). Made mostly of foam and carbon fiber, the LA100 weighs around 850 g (30 oz), including a mounted GoPro camera.
A camera can be mounted on top of the wing to capture oblique images or at the bottom of the wing for vertical images. It can also fly with two GoPros on board at the same time. However, buyers will have to supply their GoPros as they aren't included in the purchase price.
The LA100 is priced at €990 (US$1,275) and will come ready to fly from December, 2012. Lehmann Aviation says it plans to roll out hardware and software upgrades for the LA100 on a regular basis.
The video below shows the LA100 and some of the aerial images captured with it.
LA100 UAV from Lehmann Aviation on Vimeo.
Comments
That doesn't look that unreasonable to me. Firstly, it's not a simple RTL autopilot, it will follow a series of waypoints, but these can't be changed in flight. Secondly, it's a commercial offering, with all the potentially expensive support and warranties that implies. I think there's a tendency to simply compare functionality and materials of commercial UAVs with DIY/open source equivalents and assume they should cost the same. I'm guessing Lehmann Aviation also want to make a profit too...
How is it even possible that they only get 5 minutes endurance? Does this thing run on a citron battery?
Notice surface texture, Many spots with new tire "hair", May act like shark shin to reduce drag ;-)
Ahh, those snazzy "Tactical Gloves" needed to launch the plane must be about USD 800 then 8-)
There's a computer joke that might be applicable:
Q: What's the difference between a revision control system and asset management system?
A: list price, about $3,000/seat
So no telemetry, no video transmitter and not even the go pro included in the $1275? Is Lehmann aviation really Lehmann brothers bank??
Gotta love this one too - from the tech specs: Endurance: 5 minutes
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