Depending on how power efficient this mode is, a solar panel on the back might actually be able to extend the lurk time too. Pointless for active flying but if it's just sitting in the sun somewhere...

[–] jws_shadotak@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 month ago (4 children)

The added cost and weight of a solar panel might not be worth it

[–] NoSpotOfGround@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (2 children)

What about landing the drones in a hung position between exposed electrical power transmission wires? Like lurking death bats.

Unlimited lurk time, and they could just activate and be flown off home if the power goes out for too long.

They would need a way of lowering the input voltage, but it can probably be done.

[–] reddithalation@sopuli.xyz 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

there is a demo for powerline maintenance that does just that! it only needs to hang on to one wire too. quite a bit bigger than the fpv attack drones ukraine is using though.

[–] NoSpotOfGround@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago

That's awesome confirmation. It's able to pull 50 W of power just off of one wire. The clamp mechanism is a bit big, but it can probably be left behind when it goes after a target.

The future is going to be scary.

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