[Tyler]

Plasma Thruster Robots to come in Six-Packs
     

According to a Daily
O'Collegian article, DARPA wants to give out six-packs to US
soldiers. Six packs of Nano Air Vehicles (NAVs). These pocket-sized
flying robots will be propelled by plasma micro thruster jet engines
with no moving parts. Researchers at Oklahome State University's Hydrodynamics & Aerodynamics
Laboratory are
working on the plasma thrusters right now. The NAVs will be used for
urban surveillance. A soldier would be able to carry a six-pack of NAVs
in their pocket, pulling them and tossing them into the air as needed.
For more details see the DARPA
NAV project description. For photos of the prototype thruster see
the CNET
story
   

http://robots.net/article/2450.html