14 DAY TRIAL // American scientists entered a very daring enterprise. They want to create a replica of the famous pterodactyl, for use in military applications. The idea is not only to create a viable flying reconnaissance drone, but also to equip it with the ability to walk, to morph its wing shape and to sail the oceans. Furthermore, it is to be outfitted with smell sensors, so it can collect all relevant data to a particular situation or environment.
Paleontologist Sankar Chatterjee of Texas Tech University and aeronautical engineer Rick Lind of the University of Florida are working together to bring this project to life. With help from their students Andy Gedeon and Brian Roberts, they hope to precisely replicate the physical characteristics of the Brazilian-native Tapejara wellnhoferi pterodactyl. All of the bird's "components," including blood vessels, nerves, the cranial plate and its skeletal system, are to be thoroughly mimicked by the scientists, so as to create the closest replica possible.
The revolutionary thing about the future drone is that it represents the next generation in flying vehicles, namely the 6th, with the 5th being the modern F-22 Raptor fighter jet. The new morphing technology the Pterodrone will be equipped with should allow it to change its wing configuration according to the tasks it performs. When in the air, the wings will be spread, whereas on the ground they will retract, just like in a normal, living bird. This feature will allow the drone to see in currently "blind spots," such as areas beneath overpasses or under ledges.
As power saving measures, it will also be able to sail at sea, remaining under radar detection capabilities. Naturally, it's to be assumed that it will come with built-in stealth technology, although some question whether or not the morphing capability will dampen the effects of stealth. In any case, there will be some time before this Pterodrone will see its completion. Representatives from several American institutions, including the Geological Society of America and the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, will gather on Tuesday, October 7, in Houston, Texas, to discuss the features of the new aircraft, and the evolution of the project is dependent on the results of these talks.