Saturday, 21 June 2008

Mini flying saucer takes to the skies in Beijing

From The Times

June 21, 2008

Mini flying saucer takes to the skies in Beijing

Flying saucer

Beijing A prototype flying saucer that can hover in the air and be controlled remotely has been developed by a Chinese company.

The aircraft is 4ft in diameter. It is able to take off and land vertically and hover at an altitude of up to 3,300ft, the state-controlled Xinhua news agency said.

The saucer, which is designed for aerial photography, geological surveys and emergency lighting, can also be sent on a preset flight path. It is powered by a propeller and can reach a top speed of 50mph (80km/h). The aircraft was developed over 12 years by the Harbin Smart Special Aerocraft Company, at a cost of 28 million yuan (£2 million). (AFP)

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