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Author Topic: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles  (Read 3652 times)

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Offline Jim

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DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« on: April 20, 2014, 10:51:05 PM »
Full article at the link

http://www.wired.com/2014/04/hybrid_bikes/
Quote
Special Forces teams are all about silently penetrating remote areas and executing complex, lightning-fast raids. Now DARPA is developing a new vehicle to soundlessly race commandoes to their missions: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles.

The idea is to develop a hybrid power system that relies on both electric and gas power, allowing special ops to go off-road and zip past enemy forces with the silence of an electric engine, while also being able to handle extended missions and higher speeds with a supplemental gas tank.

In February, DARPA awarded Logos Technologies a $100,000, six-month Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract for a preliminary design to see just how viable the project is.
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Offline kneescrubber

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Re: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2014, 06:28:53 PM »
Horses can be pretty stealthy too. Will Tonto be guarding the unguarded keyless electric bikes? What an effing waste of tax payer money.   :facepalm:
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Offline CLAY

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Re: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2014, 07:49:24 PM »
I can see how in certain situations these things might be handy.  Of course the price tag will undoubtedly be in the tens of thousands per unit once they are built.
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Online Flyer

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Re: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2014, 06:23:53 AM »
DARPA has a pretty good track record of seeding cutting edge research.
A lightweight, hybrid powerplant seems like a worthy objective, and $100K, a small enough buy-in...
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Offline chornbe

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Re: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2014, 08:49:40 AM »
Quote from: Flyer on April 22, 2014, 06:23:53 AM
DARPA has a pretty good track record of seeding cutting edge research.
A lightweight, hybrid powerplant seems like a worthy objective, and $100K, a small enough buy-in...

+1

Enough curmudgeony around here. Embrace tech.  And hey... you're reading this because of DARPA.
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Offline R Doug

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Re: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2014, 09:01:02 AM »
Quote from: chornbe on April 22, 2014, 08:49:40 AM

+1

Enough curmudgeony around here. Embrace tech.  And hey... you're reading this because of DARPA.

Don't forget velcro!  Where would we be without DARPA?   :D
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Offline chornbe

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Re: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2014, 09:09:35 AM »
The stone ages.

"I am attempting to build a mnemonic memory storage device with stone knives and bear skins." -- Spock
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Online bowtie76

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Re: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2014, 03:37:53 PM »
This could be good for us.  Darpa has a strong directive to prove technology then work to get the technology out to both the military or the public sector.

I'm ready for a hybrid dirtbike.
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Offline Andrew

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Re: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2014, 10:02:23 PM »
Full torque at idle and the distance of gas  :beerchug:

I want one
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Offline Max Wedge

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Re: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« Reply #9 on: April 24, 2014, 07:41:14 AM »
Quote from: CLAY on April 21, 2014, 07:49:24 PM
I can see how in certain situations these things might be handy.  Of course the price tag will undoubtedly be in the tens of thousands per unit once they are built.

Just like computers.
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Offline stew71

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Re: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« Reply #10 on: April 24, 2014, 12:50:32 PM »
Quote from: Flyer on April 22, 2014, 06:23:53 AM
DARPA has a pretty good track record of seeding cutting edge research.
A lightweight, hybrid powerplant seems like a worthy objective, and $100K, a small enough buy-in...

Imagine in several years, these noisy, loud, gas-powered ATVs used by sportsman and hunters could be replaced with quiet electric ATVs. No exhaust fumes. No spooking game. It might bring some semblance of peace and quiet back to the woods again.   :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Bring it on DARPA. 
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Online biking sailor

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Re: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« Reply #11 on: April 27, 2014, 08:16:27 PM »
This looks fun.

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Offline Mookie

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Re: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« Reply #12 on: April 29, 2014, 12:50:17 PM »
I would take one in a second.  Light weight, massive range, flexible fueling, electric only for the city.  It could be the perfect dual sport.   :drool:
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Offline chornbe

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Re: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« Reply #13 on: April 29, 2014, 02:34:25 PM »
A small propane engine powering a brushless generator that powers the motor directly seems like a decent idea. Where's that? Anyone build that yet?
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Offline Mookie

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Re: DARPA: stealthy, hybrid-powered motorcycles
« Reply #14 on: April 29, 2014, 03:14:11 PM »
The only problem with propane is the need for a high pressure canister to hold the fuel, which would add weight and explosiveness.  Also, diesel is more energy dense, so you don't have to carry as much for the same range.
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