General Design
Magnus Effect[
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The magnus effect is utilized to allow for the vehicle to hover more efficiently and safely than conventional aircraft design, despite the reduced power output and increased drag in comparison. It's advantages are that it is more maneuverable, and produces even more lift than a standard aircraft, making hovering in flight more energy efficient and require less total energy than similiar systems, such as helicopter blades or jet engines. This has the added effect of making the vehicle less noisy and less dangerous, as it can get closer to the target without the fear of the moving parts coming in contact with a person. It also can possess an irregular, non aerodynamic shape, which allows for a wider variety of more practical aircraft to serve in close proximity to infantry on the ground. It's increased drag however limits it's speed; with as substantially higher drag ratio, it is easier for it to fly, but paradoxically reduces it's total energy output; traveling 10 times faster would produce substantially higher drag than even ordinary aircraft. While drag is necessary to maintain flight at some level, the drone is incapable of high speeds largely because of this, relying more so on the aircraft's drag to constantly remain afloat, rather than the high speed of the aircraft to produce drag. Due to it's reliance on natural drag at low velocities rather than high one's, it's effectiveness is also substantially diminished at high altitudes.
EngineElectronicsArmamentThe weapon in general sports a single
Mk 47 Striker 40mm automatic grenade launcher, a single
M134 mingun 7.62mm x 51mm NATO minigun, and
2 Griffon missiles. Utilizing caseless rounds, the ammunition is somewhat lighter weight, but nonetheless adds significant weight. While the M134 is 85 pounds, the Mk. 47 is 39.6 pounds, giving a combined weight of approximately 125 pounds. An additional 125 pounds of weight is split 50/50 for the ammunition of the 7.62mm x 51mm NATO ammunition, and 40mm grenades. This is equivalent to 2000 rounds of 7.62mm x 51mm NATO, and 250 rounds of 40mm grenade. Combined with the griffon missile, this adds an additional 340 pounds of weight, which is substantial. Fully loaded, the equipment makes up approximately 32% of the vehicle's weight, which is fairly substantial.