The TERN - Mean Drone Machine
DARPA's Drone Plane for Every Military Vessel A Sea Bird Unlike Any Other The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency, DARPA's TERN is one of the most stunning autonomous aircraft projects to date. From the artist's rendering, it looks like Darth Vader will emerge. But it's under development and prototypes are already being tested. Northrup Grumman is leading the program. GE has developed the engines. What TERN is capable of doing and plans for its global utilization are breakthrough technology innovation. Gamechanger: Launches and Lands on Small Vessels From virtually any naval vessel with a deck, TERN vertically takes off and lands like a helicopter and then transitions to a wing-born flight like an airplane on a mission. It can carry a 600 pound payload and fly 600 miles to strike a target. 85% of the Navy's battle-force doesn't have enough room on its deck to carry much more than a helicopter for air support. Tha