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Military Flying Saucers Coming

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 13, 2007 12:10 AM CDT

(Newser) – They’re not science fiction anymore. Researchers have built a real life flying saucer that looks and flies like a B-movie dream. The unmanned craft takes off vertically, maneuvers well, and can land almost anywhere. Cheaper and safer than a helicopter, the Defense Department thinks the saucer could become a staple in urban war zones, Discovery News reports.

The saucers are powered by a propeller above their bowl-like bodies, which pushes air down around their outer surfaces, generating lift . The craft can fly or hover in winds up to 10mph, and can be scaled from a foot-long disk to a large craft. The only problem is fuel efficiency. The fan eats batteries quickly, a problem the aliens never seemed to have.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

This concept drawing from the official GSF Project website illustrates a possible manned flying-saucer style aircraft concept. (The GSF Project)

Flying saucers have long been the domain of science-fiction, as seen here in George Pal's 1950's "War of the Worlds." But recently, the Department of Defense is taking the design concept very seriously. (Archive Photos)

A common design for experimental aircraft, real-life flying saucers have been attempted since World War II, and perhaps earlier. (Getty Images)

The mysterious visitor from "The Day the Earth Stood Still" emerges from his flying saucer in this science fiction example. (Archive Photos)

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