US tests Apache helicopters with mounted laser beams

An Apache helicopter has successfully acquired and hit an unmanned target with a laser gun for the first time in history.

Mounted on an Apache AH-64 attack helicopter, the high energy laser tracked and directed energy on the stationary target which was a little less than a mile away.

The achievement proves that laser weapons are no longer the work of science fiction.

Weapon manufacturer Raytheon said that never before has a fully integrated laser system been able to successfully shoot a target from a rotary-wing aircraft over an array of flight regimes, air speeds, and altitudes.

The feat was made possible by combining a variant of the Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS) — an advanced, electro-optical, infra-red sensor — with the laser used in the attack.

According to a defense specialist, the MTS was responsible for providing targeting information, situational awareness, and beam control.

Vice president of advanced concepts and technologies for Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems Art Morrish said collecting data such as the impact of vibration, dust, and rotor downwash would help shape future high-energy laser systems.

“Our goal is to pull the future forward,” Morrish said. “This data collection shows we’re on the right track.”

According to the Pentagon, laser weapons bring sharp advantages to the battlefield as they are silent and invisible to the human eye.

Not only does this make them more difficult for enemies to detect, but lasers are more accurate in hitting targets because they have a near-perfectly straight trajectory.

As lasers don’t have the arc flight path of artillery rounds, they are “more effective at addressing rocket, artillery, mortar, or RAM threats, as well as unmanned aircraft systems and cruise missiles.”

Used by the US military since 1986, the Apache helicopters have previously relied on weapons such as a 30-millimeter gun, 70-millimeter rockets, and heavy-duty AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.

As lasers don’t run out of bullets, this discovery could be a cost effective solution for the military seeing as each AGM-114 Hellfire missile costs $110,000.

The test was conducted by Raytheon and the US Army Apache Program Management Office in collaboration with US Special Operations Command at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

Source: http://nypost.com

Aston Martin Vantage AMR range launched

Aston Martin has launched its first range of road-going high-performance AMR models, the Vantage AMR. Bringing a bit of Aston’s title-winning FIA WEC sportscar racers to the road, the firm plans to make 200 V8 Vantage AMRs and just 100 V12 Vantage AMRs. They will cost from £97,995 and deliveries will begin later in 2017.

The AMR range was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show back in March: it’s designed to accentuate Aston’s sportiness by bringing to the road inspiration or direct influence from the track. There will be two levels of AMR, as seen with this new Vantage range: entry-level Vantage AMR models and more extreme Vantage AMR Pro versions that have extra work by the bespoke Aston Martin Q division.

Pick from four colours for the Vantage AMR: Stratus White with orange graphic, Ultramarine Blue with blue graphic, Zaffre Blue with red graphic and Scintilla Silver with grey graphic. There’s also an AMR Halo Pack, which mimics the 2016 Vantage GTE World Endurance Championship racer: it’s Stirling Green with Lime Green accents. It even has a Union Jack AML wings badge on the nose.

There are complementary colours inside, including more Lime Green for the Halo Pack, and optional lightweight carbon fibre seats for the purists. They can also choose from either a six-speed manual with the 430hp V8 Vantage or seven-speed manual on the 595hp V12 Vantage (that’s 30hp up on the regular 565hp), although most will probably go for a paddleshift auto. You can also have either as a coupe or a roadster.

“It’s a real thrill to see our first AMR model go into production said Aston president and CEO Dr Andy Palmer. The Vantage is “the perfect model with which to introduce the exciting AMR range. Unmistakable in look and feel, the Vantage AMR will appeal to our most enthusiastic customers. These are people who love our cars for their motorsport pedigree, and for their unmistakable dynamic and emotional qualities.”

There’s more on top: Aston’s offering an AMR Accessories range, with cool things such as an Aston-branded GoPro track day camera. But Aston reckons the AMR Aero Kit is the coolest. Developed in conjunction with the Aston Martin Racing team, the carbon fibre kit includes front splitter and dive plates, side sills and a fixed rear spoiler. Pair it with forged alloy AMR Vantage wheels and a 14kg-lighter titanium exhaust for racing perfection.

Consider the Vantage AMR range a run-out special; the new Aston Martin Vantage arrives in 2018, complete with V8 engines from Mercedes-AMG. Expected launch location? Quite possibly the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. 

Source:www.msn.com

Fernando Alonso fifth in Indy 500 qualifying as Scott Dixon takes pole

Fernando Alonso will start his first Indianapolis 500 from the middle of the second row of the grid after qualifying fifth for the race on 28 May.

The McLaren Formula 1 driver set an average of 231.300mph on his four-lap qualifying run, while New Zealander Scott Dixon took pole at 232.164mph.

It was an impressive performance from the two-time F1 champion - he had not driven an IndyCar until this month.

Alonso said he was "happy" but had been slightly delayed by an engine issue.

"I think the car was better than yesterday," he said. "We had an over-boost problem (with the turbocharger) in the final corner, so the engine was like hitting the brakes and I lost a bit."

The Spaniard said this cost him 0.3-0.4mph on his average, which equates to the difference between fifth and either second or third.

Alonso, whose engine needed to be changed between final practice earlier on Sunday and qualifying, added on his Instagram account: "With everything that has happened today being among the top five is a dream.

"Fifteen days ago I would never have thought about fighting for the pole. Thanks to the whole team. Now another week of learning and race next weekend."

To put Alonso's performance into context, 1992 F1 world champion Nigel Mansell qualified eighth on his debut in 1993, in what was the Englishman's fourth IndyCar race after switching to the US-based series.

Alonso's first taste of Indianapolis was in his 'rookie' test on 4 May. He is missing next weekend's Monaco Grand Prix to race at the speedway as part of his quest to win the so-called 'triple crown' of Monaco, which he has won twice, Indy and the Le Mans 24 Hours sportscar race.

The 35-year-old Spaniard is directly behind two former F1 drivers on the grid.

American Alexander Rossi, who had a brief career with the back-of-the-grid Caterham and Marussia teams, was third and Japan's Takuma Sato, who raced in 90 grands prix for the Jordan, BAR and Super Aguri teams, was fourth.

American Ed Carpenter takes the middle slot on the three-car front row.

Rossi won the Indy 500 from 11th on the grid last year, an illustration of the fact that qualifying positions are not of great importance in predicting race form at the so-called 'Brickyard'.

That is because the set-up of the cars is changed significantly between qualifying and race to ensure drivers can run consistently in heavy traffic during a 500-mile race that is usually punctuated by several 'caution' periods in which drivers are restricted to reduced speeds behind a pace car.

Alonso was consistently fast through the days of practice last week, whether running in qualifying or race trim.

None of the British drivers in the field were in the 'fast nine'. Ed Jones was 11th on his debut, followed by Max Chilton in 15th, Jay Howard in 20th, Jack Harvey in 27th and Pippa Mann in 28th.

Source: http://www.bbc.com