> We don't know their weight, so we don't know how much downforce they have to generate
But we can make an educated guess.
> Also, if they were radar-spy drones, they don't have to go home -- they've likely transmitted everything they need (overhead satellite or a nearby sub?). They're going away far enough to sink to the bottom of the ocean with little chance of recovery/identification.
IIRC submarines have looked for them, following that theory. Nothing was found.
> So, I can imagine drone that carries some basic RF sensors, a basic quadcopter (or equiv) propulsion system, then a one-time-use escape system. Perhaps a short-range turbine or simple chemical rocket.
The drone theory makes a lot of sense when you ignore the fact that they are flying for over 10 hours non stop, and going faster than 160kt. Oh, and that they are also moving really fast once they are submerged.
But we can make an educated guess.
> Also, if they were radar-spy drones, they don't have to go home -- they've likely transmitted everything they need (overhead satellite or a nearby sub?). They're going away far enough to sink to the bottom of the ocean with little chance of recovery/identification.
IIRC submarines have looked for them, following that theory. Nothing was found.
> So, I can imagine drone that carries some basic RF sensors, a basic quadcopter (or equiv) propulsion system, then a one-time-use escape system. Perhaps a short-range turbine or simple chemical rocket.
The drone theory makes a lot of sense when you ignore the fact that they are flying for over 10 hours non stop, and going faster than 160kt. Oh, and that they are also moving really fast once they are submerged.