DARPA patent application

[Richard Wallace]

What a great idea for 2007 FRC ! Call the new game "Just Shoot Me!" (or something similar -- I guess that name is taken by the TV sitcom.)

This would take the "Aim High" concept to new heights! A new level of challenge for the human player!

Of course, it would need to be extensively tested by the GDC, and might require a few new items in the kit of parts ...

[edit]... and a few more batteries. A rough estimate goes like this: to accelerate a 120# 'foolhardy payload' to 40 MPH exit velocity at 13 ft launcher height would require about 500 lbf thrust for about half a second. Assuming 50% conversion efficiency from the battery, you'd need about 40 kW electrical power during that split-second. Since our 12V batteries can only deliver about 200 peak amperes, you'd need about 16 of them to do the job.

And like Andy, I'd recommend a reserve set of underpants for the person who has just been accelerated at about 4g and then hurled five stories into the air![/edit]