Mini flying saucer

Image Courtesy: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/

A British ex-hovercraft engineer has designed a fascinating piece of technology: A saucer-helicopter hybrid drone. Read on for more information. A link to a video of the saucer is provided at the bottom of the post.

"My son said it was a bloody silly idea,' said Mr Hatton. "Now I've proved it works, he says sorry, he was wrong."

The 68-year-old has won a contract with the US government for his 3ft-wide contraption, a cross between a hovercraft and a helicopter. It is being considered for surveillance sorties.

"Unlike a helicopter, though, this is aerodynamically neutral and you can bump into walls and not smash the rotor,' said the inventor.

"And, unlike a hovercraft, you can fly it as high as you want."

The dome-shaped object is powered by an electricity-driven propeller on top that pushes air over the outer surfaces, and has controllable flaps.[...]

Video: Watch the flying saucer in action!