Russian spy plane to be re-purposed as cellphone tower

We've already seen balloons used to provide cellphone service, but it looks like the Russians could soon be putting that setup to shame, with one of its Myasishchev M-55 spy planes now reportedly set to be demoed as a makeshift cellphone tower early next year. That'll apparently happen in Malaysia over the course of February and March, but it seems like that could just be the beginning, with one "unnamed Western firm" said to be in discussions with the aircraft's manufacturer about the possibility of resuming production of the planes specifically for this purpose. Among other things, that would allow the plane to used to provide cellphone service in disaster areas, with its 17,000 meter altitude and 5,000 kilometer range allowing it to cover a wide range on the ground with relative ease.

[Via textually.org]

[Generic @ Nov 6th 2007 5:35AM]

in case of a disaster I really don't want to miss on www.twitter.com/engadget

[Kobaljov @ Nov 6th 2007 7:12AM]

And how much is the handsets range for connecting?

[Jack @ Nov 6th 2007 8:07AM]

spy plane as a cellphone tower???

hahaha, or atleast thats wat they want us to think !

[RedBull Runner @ Nov 6th 2007 8:09AM]

For the love of dog. STOP SPAMMING YOUR CRAPPY GADGET BLOGS ON A GADGET BLOG.

It makes you look like you are mentally ill.

[strider_mt2k @ Nov 6th 2007 8:54AM]

Spam sucks.

Stick a fork in a toaster, Dan.

Blog about that.

[Cameron Campbell @ Nov 6th 2007 9:12AM]

In soviet russia, spy plane cellphones you?


... that was lame,, I haven't had enough coffee...



pardon

[Allan @ Nov 6th 2007 9:19AM]

So what happens to your cell service when they have to refuel or the pilot has to land to take a dump?

[MegaZone @ Nov 6th 2007 1:03PM]

Multiple aircraft that fly in rotating shifts.

But the need for a pilot is really the big issue - doing this with a UAV would allow a MUCH longer endurance on station, something like Global Hawk could remain on station for ~24 hours, two aircraft would allow round-the-clock coverage. But the costs of the M-55 may be lower - and the Russians are willing to sell to commercial firms, I doubt we'd see the US allow a commercial Global Hawk in the near future. Similarly, they would be unlikely to allow Lockheed to sell commercial U-2s.

This kind of use was proposed for the Scaled Composites Proteus as well.

[007baf @ Nov 6th 2007 9:53AM]

A US company already has an aircraft that can do this and had demonstrated it. The system is called SkyTower and was built and is flown by Aerovironment out of California. (http://www.aerovironment.com/ADC_Project_Details.asp?Prodid=35)

The neat thing about this is system is the advanced power system, using a Hydrogen Internal Combustion engine to power the electric motors. It should have up to a 7 day loiter period. No pilots, no restroom worries!

[Pete @ Nov 6th 2007 10:25AM]

Actually, this idea was thought of before aerovironment, as well:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaled_Composites_Proteus

[Dan @ Nov 6th 2007 10:54AM]

I love the idea, but seriously... why would you use a manned aircraft? Use a predator drone... it can stay in the air much longer. Or even better, use one of the solar powered airfoil's that can stay in the air more or less indefinitely.

[Jagannath A @ Nov 6th 2007 12:14PM]

ah!!! he is not worried about your high ranked comments calling him mentally ill... he gets hits anyway from ppl who cannot resist clicking on a link even though knowing its crap err spam