Through a combination of solar cells and battery power, the Zephyr experimental plane recently flew for three days straight. Using super-lightweight solar cells and super-efficient batteries, the plane is powered and charged by day, and then the batteries provide power at night.

Like a lot of amazing research, including the Internet, this was funded by the military, in this case to provide a new generation of spy planes.

Filed under: zephyr, solar flight, solar plane, endurance, and military

Can we get robots to fight our wars?

Here's an interesting review of today's combat robot technology: Where it is, and where it's going.

The short answer is that it will be years, if not decades, before humans are replaced on the battlefield -- even in the high-tech US Army.

Filed under: robots, combat, and military