THE RETURN OF THE F16XL

Recently the Air Force announced that it may be interested in obtaining a new low cost option to replace its fleet of F-16s, calling for a clean sheet design of a new either fourth and a half gen or fifth gen minus fighter. The role that today's F16s play cannot be understated: while the F22 and F35 are the air force's fifth generation frontline fighters, the F16 is by far the most numerous fighter the air force operates, with more F16 examples than all F15s, F22s and F35s combined. As a result you could make the argument that the F16 is the backbone of today's air force. And while the USAF's F16s have served with distinction during its operational lifetime, current Air Force leaders feel that the viper lacks the mission systems capability and networked software sophistication to be a serious contender. Additionally, the air force has stated that the goal is to have 386 squadrons. Assuming an average of 20 aircraft per squadron, that's 7,720 aircraft and plenty of new airframes that need to be produced.

The F16XL is a cranked arrow delta wing variant of the hugely successful F-16 Fighting Falcon or Viper. Initially conceived as a technology demonstrator for General Dynamics, the F-16XL was entered into the Enhanced Tactical Fighter competition. Let's take a look at some of the specifications for the F-16XL:

Specifications Length: 54 ft 2 in (16.51 m) Height: 17 FT 7 IN (5.36 M) Wingspan: 34 FT 3 IN (10.44 M) Maximum speed: 1,400 MPH (2,300 KM/H) MACH 2.05 Empty weight: 22,000 LB (9,980 KG) Range: 2,850 MI (4,590 KM), 2,480 NMI) Max. takeoff weight:48,000 LB (21,800 KG) Engine Thrust Class GE F110-GE-100 TURBOFAN 17,100 LBF (76 kN) THRUST DRY 28,900 LBF (129 kN) WITH AFTERBURNER

At the end of the SR-71 spy plane program in the 90s, the US was left without a new spy plane to operate across the world. The SR72 is still decades away, and for the last 30 years, supposbly the military has flown blind. Or have they. There are many reports of strange triangle aircraft flying high above military airbases, and across the world, that seem to defy modern aviation physics, with the abilities to fly faster than anything ever before, and seemly vanish into the clouds. little is known about this plane, but it is estimated to fly at a top altitude of 135,000 feet (or possibly 110,000 feet), and cruising around 90,000 feet. At these altitudes the aircraft would have an incredible speed, easily pushing mach 6 and tearing across the sky. To reach this pace, it would either have a ramjet or early scam jet like that propossed for the SR72, or it would have a very unquie propulsion called a Pulse Wave Detonation Engine. Basically this crazy idea uses small detotnations of fuel to push the aircraft forwards, constantly chain reacting until the plane reaches the required speed.

This will result in a very unquie contrail of a ring of donuts dasiy chaining behind the aircraft. Its very different form normal engines. All regular jet engines and most rocket engines operate on the deflagration of fuel, that is, the rapid but subsonic combustion of fuel. The pulse detonation engine ioperates on the supersonic detonation of fuel. Because the combustion takes place so rapidly, the charge of a fuel and air mix does not have time to expand during this process, so it takes place under almost constant volume. Constant volume combustion is more efficient than open-cycle designs like gas turbines, which leads to greater fuel efficiency. If the aircraft had this engine, it would mean it could fly high enough to be out of range of any current anti-aircraft defenses, while offering range considerably greater than the SR-71, which required a massive tanker support fleet to use in operation. The auroras mission profile would be spying, used to bridge the gap between spy satalights and slower aircraft or drones. Spekaing of drones, this aircraft would either be a complete

 

China Get Out Of Tibet

The invitation seemed innocuous: A Chinese general asked if the 14th Dalai Lama would like to see a performance by a Chinese dance troupe. But when he was told to come to the Chinese military headquarters without soldiers or armed bodyguards, according to his official biography, the Tibetans sensed a trap.

After years of guerrilla war between Tibetan rebels and the Chinese soldiers in a land that China considered to be its territory, the friendly overture seemed suspicious enough that, on the day of the performance, thousands of protesters surrounded the Dalai Lama’s palace in Lhasa to keep him from being abducted, arrested or killed. Over the following few days, the protests expanded into declarations of Tibetan independence and the mobilizing of rebel troops to fight the Chinese forces. The State Oracle, the Dalai Lama’s advisor, urged him to flee.


On this day, March 17, in 1959, Tibet’s spiritual and political leader, then 23, disguised himself as a soldier and slipped through the crowds outside the palace he’d never see again. He embarked on a dangerous journey to asylum, crossing the Himalayas on foot with a retinue of soldiers and cabinet members. They traveled only at night, to avoid detection by Chinese sentries. Rumors later circulated among Tibetans that the Dalai Lama “had been screened from Red planes by mist and low clouds conjured up by the prayers of Buddhist holy men,” according to TIME’s 1959 cover story about the escape. But until he appeared in India, two weeks after taking flight, people around the world feared that he had been killed, according to the BBC.

Back in Tibet, thousands died fighting the Chinese forces. Per the BBC, “All fighting-age men who had survived the revolt were deported, and those fleeing the scene reported that Chinese troops burned corpses in [Lhasa] for 12 hours.”






It was the latest flare-up of the longstanding discord between Tibet and China, as TIME summarized:


Over the centuries, the mountain-locked nation of Tibet has often been overrun by invaders — Mongols, Manchus and Gurkhas, but most often Chinese. Whenever China was strong, it would send a garrison to occupy Lhasa. Whenever China was weak Tibetans would drive the garrison out.

That discord endures today. Tibetans can still be arrested if caught with the writings or a picture of the Buddhist leader and recipient of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize. And Chinese leaders were outraged last month when President Obama made his first public appearance with the Dalai Lama, whom he called a “good friend.” And as the New York Times reported last week, they were also incensed by the 79-year-old Dalai Lama’s recent speculation that he might not reincarnate this time around, foiling Chinese plans to hand-pick a 15th Dalai Lama who would follow the Communist party line. Per the Times, “[Chinese] officials repeatedly warned that he must reincarnate, and on their terms.”

China’s official version of the Dalai Lama’s 1959 escape sees him as forced to flee due to a failed attempt on his part “to maintain the serfdom in the region, under which the majority of Tibetans were slaves leading a life of unimaginable misery,” per TIME.

Tibetans tend to disagree with this retelling. According to TIME’s coverage of the Dalai Lama’s recent trip to the United States, “So profound is the despair among some Tibetans that more than 130 people have committed suicide since 2009 by setting themselves on fire, according to exile organizations. As they burn, self-immolators reserve their final breaths to praise the Dalai Lama and denounce Chinese rule.”

NEXT  VICTIM AFGHANISTAN

After Missiles and the Plaaf Soften the  Taiwan Defenses Chinese Paratroopers Would Lead the invasion

With respect to Taiwan, one can safely assume both a massive PLA superiority in firepower and very close attention to the complex logistics problem. Thus, the only remaining challenge for Beijing is to create a proper ruse – admittedly somewhat difficult in the age of satellite reconnaissance. Yet, this is also not all too hard to imagine. Would Xi Jinping simply call his friend Vladimir Putin to ask for a decent-sized diversion in the Baltics? It should not be forgotten that Mao Zedong’s victorious military campaign against India in 1962 was accomplished with lightning efficiency under the “cover” of the Cuban Missile Crisis. The actual PLA assault on the “beautiful island” would come from both the sea and the air, of course, developing from multiple vectors simultaneously, allowing for the exploitation of the most promising fronts, and likely prompting rapid, total collapse. 

PLAAF paratroopers jump from a Y-20 in 2018. PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY

If China ever invades Taiwan, the main assault force would come by sea, of course—across the choppy 100 miles of the Taiwan Strait.

But a portion of the invading army might arrive by air. Chinese air force airborne troops could attempt to seize key facilities and open up fronts behind Taiwanese forces protecting the likely landing beaches.

With that in mind, the People’s Republic of China is beefing up its 30,000-person airborne corps with new airplanes. And the Republic of China is training to fight the paratroopers on the ground. HINESE troops have staged an invasion drill of Taiwan by simulating an attack in a large-scale military exercise.

Thousands of airborne and amphibious soldiers are seen attacking an unidentified island with rockets and drones in a video released by state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) on Saturday.

9The exercise is thought to have taken place off the south-eastern China coast

9The large-scale military exercise used live ammunition

9The exercise has raised tensions between China and Taiwan, which were already high

The exercise comes amid rising political tensions between China and Taiwan after Beijing aired a purported confession from a Taiwanese businessman who is being held captive on spying charges.

Although Taiwan has been under self-rule for more than seven decades China considers Taiwan as part of its territory, to be absorbed into the mainland, using force if necessary.

The island though has a defence pact with the US, indicating any military action by China could spark a super power conflict in the region.

China has been increasing the pressure on the island since President Tsai Ing-wen, who rejects the view it is part of “one China”, was elected in 2016.

'MULTI-DIMENSIONAL' DRILL

The President said on Saturday she hoped for a reduction in tensions and added Beijing should listen to their concerns, change its approach and restart dialogue.

During her speech at Taiwan’s National Day celebrations, Tsai noted the Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s comments in a video message to the UN General Assembly, saying China would never seek hegemony, expansion or try to establish a sphere of influence.

Tsai said: “As countries in the region and around the world are now concerned about China's expanding hegemony, we hope this is the beginning of genuine change.”

In response though Beijing released the video of the live-fire military exercise.

9Thousands of troops can be seen taking part in the exercise

9Airbourne and amphibious troops took part in the 'attack' on the islandCredit: CCTV Military

9China considers Taiwan as part of its territoryCredit: CCTV Military

The footage shows amphibious landing craft, attack helicopters and ground-based missiles as well as thousands of troops as they storm the island.

The video is said to be a “multi-dimensional” drill filmed off China’s south-eastern coasts of Fuijan and Guangdong provinces.

Reports say the exercise was conducted by the PLA’s 73rd group army, thought to be the main force which would be used in any potential attack on Taiwan.

China also aired footage of the Taiwanese businessman currently being held over the weekend.

Lee Meng-chu, 45, has been accused of “endangering national security” and appeared on Chinese TV on Sunday evening admitting to illegally filming military exercises in a city close to Hong Kong during the protests there last year.

PLAAF paratroopers board a Y-20 in 2018. PEOPLE'S LIBERATION ARMY

But the simulation underscores Taiwan’s plan for defending against airborne attack. ROC fighter planes and attack helicopters bombard the paratroopers. Then the Taiwanese army tanks roll in. Infantry in armored vehicles follow behind the tanks.

The defense plan makes sense. Airborne forces are lightly equipped and, while in the open, are vulnerable to attack from the air. Lacking heavy weaponry, they’re even more vulnerable to tanks.

The more airborne troops China can land, the better their chances of resisting counterattack. To that end, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force has begun practicing airborne landings with its new Y-20 strategic airlifter—China’s answer to the U.S. Air Force’s C-17.

The jet-propelled Y-20 probably carries around the same number of parachutists as the propeller-driven Y-9 does—100—but the Y-20 flies faster, making it more survivable.

The PLAAF airborne corps conducted its first airborne drops with the Y-20 in 2018, signalling the Chinese military’s effort to “integrate aerial insertion training into larger exercises,” according to the Pentagon’s 2020 report on Chinese military capabilities.

But even the speedy Y-20 can’t save Chinese paratroopers from the terrifying prospect of staring down battalions of Taiwanese M-60 tanks rolling toward them.

 

FIVE WAYS TO HELP  STOP DESERTIFICATION OF THE WORLD

Drought, deforestation and climate change. All of these contribute to the extreme global issue known as desertification. According to the environmental campaign Clean Up the World, desertification is the degradation of land in drylands, which affects all continents except Antarctica. Approximately half of the people worldwide who live below the poverty line live in affected areas.

The result of desertification is barren land that cannot be used for crop and food production or other agricultural purposes. Prevention methods have been introduced and tend to be more successful than attempts to restore already damaged regions, which can be costly and yield limited results.





Drought, deforestation and climate change. All of these contribute to the extreme global issue known as desertification. According to the environmental campaign Clean Up the World, desertification is the degradation of land in drylands, which affects all continents except Antarctica. Approximately half of the people worldwide who live below the poverty line live in affected areas.


The result of desertification is barren land that cannot be used for crop and food production or other agricultural purposes. Prevention methods have been introduced and tend to be more successful than attempts to restore already damaged regions, which can be costly and yield limited results.



Land and water management: Sustainable land use can fix issues such as overgrazing, overexploitation of plants, trampling of soils and irrigation practices that cause and worsen desertification.
Protection of vegetative cover: Protecting soil from wind and water erosion helps to prevent the loss of ecosystem services during droughts.
Alternative Farming and Industrial Techniques: Alternative livelihoods that are less demanding on local land and natural resource use, such as dryland aquaculture for production of fish, crustaceans and industrial compounds, limit desertification.
Establish economic opportunities outside drylands: Unpacking new possibilities for people to earn a living, such as urban growth and infrastructure, could relieve and shift pressures underlying the desertification processes.
Great Green Wall: Eleven countries in Sahel-Sahara Africa — Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Senegal — have focused efforts to fight against land degradation and revive native plant life to the landscape. The initiative, managed in part by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), plants a line of trees as a sustainable way of regenerating the parkland and serves as an example for other problematic locations.

Such large-scale environmental complications may seem troubling to deal with, but the outlined methods and many more make all the difference, giving individuals an idea of how to stop desertification.

US soldiers could soon travel like storm troopers Army reveals armored trucks fitted with LASERS to blast mines out of the ground and explode stray bombs Uses a laser to detonate bombs up to 300 meters away Interrogator arm and manipulator claw can move 50 pounds of debris Could be used instead of bomb disposal experts in body armour The U.S. Army and Air Force are working together to develop laser weapons that can blast mines out of the ground. The vehicles would be able to safely explode mines and other explosives from a distance. Currently highly-trained bomb disposal specialists wore body armour, protective suits or used robots to render an area safe.  The vehicles would be able to safely explode mines and other explosives from a distance. Called Recovery of Airbase Denied by Ordinance, or RADBO, it uses a laser to detonate bombs up to 300 meters away. It also has the Army's integrated interrogator arm and manipulator claw, which can pull 50 pounds of debris up from cracks and underneath rubble. Infrared cameras, driver vehicle enhanced capabilities and two alternators were installed to provide more than 1,100 amps of power.  With lasers, operators can negate the threat of improvised explosive devices, makeshift bombs, mines, and other unexploded explosive ordnance from a safe distance. The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center, or AMRDEC, Prototype Integration Facility, or PIF, U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command and the Redstone Test Center developed the system. 'Building the prototype was right in the wheelhouse of what the PIF is set up to do,' said Steven Colvin, PIF project manager. 'We were able to assemble a strong team of mechanical, electrical and design engineers to solve the problems, fabricators and integrators to build the prototype and technical writers to document the installation, operation and maintenance of the system.' +2 Infrared cameras, driver vehicle enhanced capabilities and two alternators were installed to provide more than 1,100 amps of power. 'We may see hundreds to thousands of small unexploded ordnance items on a runaway or airfield but the RADBO will allow us to reduce the time it takes to get an airfield operational,' said Marshall 'Doc' Dutton, Air Force explosive ordnance disposal modernization program manager of the Air Force Civil Engineer Center on Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. 'Currently, if a runway gets hit it can take days to weeks to get cleared. 'With the RADBO, runways can be cleared and operational at a much quicker pace.'  Another non-combat use of the RADBO is the ability for immediate range clearance allowing fighter pilots to use the range immediately after a live-ordnance drop training exercise. Since ranges can be cleared immediately for repeated use, this capability has the potential to save lives on the battlefield. Military bosses developing Star Wars 'hoverbikes' for the battlefield Hoverbike will become a Tactical Reconnaissance Vehicle Could carry troops and equipment into battle Being developed with UK firm Malloy Aeronautics  Star Wars could soon be headed to the battlefield - thanks to a New Zealand inventor. Malloy Aeronautics has revealed a deal with the  U.S. Department of Defense to develop its radical flying machine for the military. They say the Hoverbike is being developed to operate as a new class of Tactical Reconnaissance Vehicle (TRV). Scroll down for video +5 Malloy Aeronautics has revealed a deal with the U.S. Department of Defense to develop its radical flying machine for the US military. +5 A mockup of the full sized hoverbike, which is similar in size to a small car. HOW IT WORKS The 'hoverbike' is similar to a quadcopter, using four standard helicopter style rotors, overlapped with each other. The full sized design uses a motorcycle engine and controls. The firm made the announcement at the Paris Air Show. Maryland Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford joined with SURVICE Engineering Co., a Belcamp, Md.-based defense firm, and U.K.-based Malloy Aeronautics, an aeronautical engineering firm, to announce that the two companies have teamed up on the development of Hoverbike technology for the U.S. Department of Defense. SURVICE and Malloy are working on the Hoverbike as part of an ongoing research and development contract with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.  As part of this strategic alliance, Malloy Aeronautics has also announced that they have established a U.S. office in Belcamp adjacent to Aberdeen Proving Ground to complete work on the Hoverbike. 'I am pleased to join with SURVICE Engineering and Malloy Aeronautics to announce their partnership on the Hoverbike, which represents a new frontier in aviation,' said Lt. Governor Rutherford. 'We are also very excited to welcome Malloy and look forward to working with them to grow their operations in Maryland.' 'Establishing an office in Maryland was a clear business decision,' said Chris Malloy, managing director of Malloy Aeronautics. 'The proximity to the Army Research Laboratory and U.S. defense decision makers, access to the world-class facilities through the laboratory's Open Campus initiative, and the co-location with our strategic business partner, SURVICE Engineering, were all factors in favor of Maryland as the best choice for Malloy Aeronautics.' The world's first flying motorcycle! Hoverbike gets test flight +5 The hoverbike is here! The 1/3 scale version of the bike being piloted by a 3d printed robo-pilot The firm says it producing a 1/3 sized version of its design to help fund the full sized prototype. 'This drone was originally built as a proof of concept for our latest full-sized Hoverbike prototype,' said Chris Malloy, the drone's inventor. 'After testing the 1/3rd Hoverbike, we realized that it had lots of features that made it a fantastic drone, not only this - selling this scale Hoverbike to the public would allow us to raise funds to continue the development of the manned version. 'The objective of this campaign is to kick-start sales of our beautiful 1/3rd scale Hoverbike drone and accessories via your pledges, and to help create a long term income stream that we can use to continue development of the manned Hoverbike,' it says. The full sized design uses a motorcycle engine and controls. However, the smaller version uses electric motors, and can be controlled using a standard RC helicopter controller. The hoverbike in action - complete with its 3D printed humanoid robot driver. +5 The drone is made up of four blade, which give it its stability. The firm says its full sized version could be used to commute on. The futuristic prototype has the potential to travel up to 92 miles or for about 45 minutes on one tank of fuel and is expected to come with a hefty price tag of more than £45,000. So far the bike, which weighs 270kgs, has only been tested while tethered to the ground to prevent it flying too high. But plans to test it's capabilities without any restrictions are set to go-ahead soon. +5 The firm will also make a 3D printable pilot, who can have a Go Pro camera fitted in his 'head' to record flights 'We combined the simplicity of a motorbike and the freedom of a helicopter to create the world's first flying motorcycle,' it said. 'When compared with a helicopter, the Hoverbike is cheaper, more rugged and easier to use - and represents a whole new way to fly.  'The Hoverbike flies like a quadcopter, and can be flown unmanned or manned, while being a safe - low level aerial workhorse with low on-going maintenance.' The firm says it is almost ready to begin flight testing of the full sized version. Big screen: Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) battle a Stormtrooper on their speeder bike in Star Wars Return of the Jedi 'We are in the final construction stages of the latest manned prototype of Hoverbike, and in a few months we will start flight testing. 'After the successful completion of test flights we will build a final engineering prototype for submission to aviation certification authorities.

0-60 in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 80mph: the former tank that performs like a sports car on any terrain Ripsaw Extreme Vehicle 2 is fasted tracked vehicle ever developed Makers spends six months transforming tank into personalized off-roader The modified tank was recently used in Mad Max: Fury Road Originally developed to help to avoid IEDs, has become a hit with car enthusiasts New single seater version has a hugely updated 1500 horsepower engine and  improved suspension It has been dubbed the first 'sports tank', boasting supercar performance on tank tracks. Originally developed to help to military avoid IEDs, the Ripsaw 'sports tank' has become a hit with car enthusiasts. Now, a new version has received a huge overhaul - and has been dubbed 'the most obnoxious vehicle ever built'.  Scroll down for video  +9 The newest incarnation, the EV3-F1, is 'the most extreme and most terrain dominant Ripsaw ever developed,' the firm behind it says. THE RIPSAW'S SPECS  Weight: 9,000 lbs (4,080kg) Height: 5.8ft (1.8 metres) Engine: 6.6 duramax 750 hp Payload capacity: 2,000lbs (910kg)  Ground clearance: 2ft (0.6 metres) Speed: 95mph (153km/h) The Ripsaw, developed by twin brothers Mike and Geoff Howe, both 40, from Maine-based company Howe and Howe technologies, has been around for several years in various forms. Originally designed and built for the military as a light weight, go fast super tank, it found a second life as a luxury vehicle for well heeled car fans. 'Since 2013, Howe and Howe Tech has spent thousands of man hours developing these beautiful yet rugged and refined consumer based Ripsaw chassis's for the high end luxury market and extreme off-road enthusiast,' the firm said. 'From 16 inches of suspension travel, to luxurious interiors and up to 1500 horsepower, The Ripsaw platform is in league of its own when it comes to capability, speed, sheer adrenaline and luxury.' The firm refuses to say how much each vehicle costs, but says they are 'handcrafted, limited run, high end luxury tracked platforms developed for the public and extreme off road recreation.'  Each one takes up to 6 months to fabricate and can cost over half a million dollars. The newest incarnation, the EV3-F1, is 'the most extreme and most terrain dominant Ripsaw ever developed,' the firm says. High-speed Ripsaw tank plows though snowy terrain Advertisement 0:29 +9 The new single seater version boasts a 'floating cabin' the keep the driver safe +9 The 'sports tank' is showing pulling a wheelie down a road and taking to the air with ease in the new video 'Designed with up to 1500hp and an astonishing .2 hp/lbs power to weight ratio, with over 112 inches of track on the ground, the Ripsaw EV3-F1 stands as one of the world's most exhilarating single seat off-road vehicles ever conceived.' The original Ripsaw, which has a 650bhp engine , is a dual-tracked vehicle originally developed as an anti-IED platform for the military but is now mostly hired out for recreational purposes. +9 The ripsaw specs: The new version has dozens of upgrades from the 'classic' Ripsaw Mike said: ‘We started developing the Ripsaw in the 1990s, as we had been developing off-road technology and wanted to take it to the next level. ‘We decided to build a high speed track vehicle, like a really fast track vehicle that's not slow like a regular tank - we knew that that had never been done before.’ +9 The Ripsaw is shown racing a snowmobile in the stunning video The brothers developed their innovations to help police and the armed forces.  One of their most successful creations is the Swat Bot, which doubles as a robotic shield and a battering ram. Geoff said: ‘The Swat Bot developed out of our existing technology for the US military. +9 The 'basic' Ripsaw (shown) is capable of up to 95mph (153km/h) and is a dual-tracked vehicle originally developed as an anti-IED latform for the armed forces Incredible super tank turned sports car tears up terrain Loaded: 0% Progress: 0% 0:00 Previous Play Skip Mute Current Time0:00 / Duration Time2:22 Fullscreen Need Text Watch video Watch video Watch video Asteroid 2018 BD flies within one lunar distance of Earth Watch video Tori Woodward catches boyfriend Alex Pall cheating on her ‘In some of our military contracting we have been tasked with finding a robot, a walk behind IED defeat robot. ‘The original robot walks in front of the soldiers and digs the land up in front of them, ensuring the soldier doesn't get blown up. +9 The Swat Bot (pictured) serves as a ‘robotic ballistic shield, door breacher and debris remover when the environment is deemed unsafe’ +9 When expanded, the shield (pictured during a training exercise) measures 8ft (2.5 metres) wide - large enough to offer ‘the operator and team adequate cover from gunfire and explosive scenarios’ explained the designers ‘Our police officers put their lives on the line everyday and we wanted to give them that protection, so instead of carrying a shield and being laden down with weight, the swat bot does all that - it's a fully operational shield as well as a door buster.’ According to their website, the Swat Bot serves as a ‘robotic ballistic shield, door breacher and vehicle and debris remover when the environment is deemed unsafe.’ When expanded, the shield stretches to 8ft (2.5 metres) wide, enough to offer ‘the operator and team adequate cover from gunfire and explosive scenarios.’ And the vehicle, which is collapsible for ease of transport and weighs 2,290lbs (1,040kg), can be started up in just five seconds. It can go from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, travel at 80 mph, and manoeuvre over any surface or terrain a tank can. A US company is selling high-powered former military tanks as 'luxury vehicles' for anyone who has a spare few hundred thousands dollars. Looking like a cross between the Batmobile and a moon buggy, the Ripsaw Extreme Vehicle 2 has been crafted into 'one of the world's most sought after high performance, luxury vehicles,' according to makers Howe & Howe Technologies. Fast: The Ripsaw Extreme Vehicle 2 is the fastest tracked military vehicle created by Howe & Howe Originally designed for the US military for service as a high-speed tracked vehicle, it is the fastest tracked vehicle ever developed. Since its military beginnings, the tank now sports 12-inches of suspension travel, a luxury interior, and a 600 horsepower diesel engine, while the gun and much of its body armor has been removed. The vehicle has advanced suspension tracks, while its huge engine that sits at the back, giving it an acceleration that rivals most sports cars. The custom-made machines are capable of trekking across all terrains including ice, snow and desert and have been developed in the name of fun. 'These vehicles take up to six months to fabricate and can cost well into the hundreds of thousands depending on desired luxury and performance packages,' a company spokesman said. Incredible super tank turned sports car tears up terrain +5 Agile: The vehicles are described as the ultimate luxury vehicle for off-roading +5 Flashy: Inside the cockpit, the colorful controls look like something out of the movies. Incidentally, the vehicle was recently used in Mad Max 2 +5 High powered: The custom made tanks take about six months to alter into the ultimate all terrain vehicles Movie fans may recognize the souped up tanks as the Peacemaker chase vehicle in Mad Max: Fury Road. Filmmakers use a modified Ripsaw, with a car body on top, in the Hollywood blockbuster. The limited edition EV2s have been developed for public and extreme off road recreation. Desert: The Ripsaw EV2 was originally designed and built for the military as a high speed super tank +5 All terrain: The military vehicle was designed for all surfaces and is described as the ultimate off-road luxury vehicle. This can be used as the base for an anti UAV weapon The sports car tank that can down a drone: My proposal, reveals anti-UAV weapon that can fire lasers from a moving vehicle Designed for use on light tactical vehicles such as the Humvee Initial trials with low power lasers have already taken place The 30kW system is expected to be ready for field testing in 2016 Enemy drones have become a major threat on the battlefield, and the UU Navy hopes a roof mounted laser could be the answer. Its Ground-Based Air Defense Directed Energy On-the-Move program, commonly referred to as GBAD, allowing controllers to simply drive the weapon to a target. Once drones are spotted, it can them shoot them out of the sky with a high powered laser.   High powered: The custom made tanks take about six months to alter into the ultimate all terrain vehicles +2 The system will be able to spot and track drones, then shoot them out of the sky using a 30kw laser. 'We're confident we can bring together all of these pieces in a package that's small enough to be carried on light tactical vehicles and powerful enough to counter these threats,' said Brig. Gen. Kevin Killea, vice chief of naval research and commanding general, the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory. The GBAD system is being designed for use on light tactical vehicles such as the Humvee and Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. The navy hopes the system will provide an affordable alternative to traditional firepower to keep enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from tracking and targeting Marines on the ground. 'We can expect that our adversaries will increasingly use UAVs and our expeditionary forces must deal with that rising threat,' said Col. William Zamagni, acting head of ONR's Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Combating Terrorism Department. US Army reveals truck-mounted laser to shoot down drones Some of the system's components already have been used in tests to detect and track UAVs of all sizes. Later in the year, researchers will test the entire system against targets using a 10kW laser as a stepping stone to a 30kW laser. 'GBAD gives the Marine Corps a capability to counter the UAV threat efficiently, sustainably and organically with austere expeditionary forces. 'GBAD employed in a counter UAV role is just the beginning of its use and opens myriad other possibilities for future expeditionary forces.' Some of the system's components already have been used in tests to detect and track UAVs of all sizes. Later in the year, researchers will test the entire system against targets using a 10kW laser as a stepping stone to a 30kW laser. The 30kW system is expected to be ready for field testing in 2016, when the program will begin more complex trials to ensure a seamless process from detection and tracking to firing, all from mobile tactical vehicles.   Hoverbike will become a Tactical Reconnaissance Vehicle Could carry troops and equipment into battle Spotter vehicles and a control car will allow the system to operate anywhere.