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Turns out off the shelf GPS modules are good to 50,000m and 500m/s.

https://www.u-blox.com/sites/default/files/MAX-8_DataSheet_%...

Only downside is you're limited to 4g, but that's not the end of the world.

Low update rate, but workaround-able with a IMU. A simple micro, accelerometer, gyro, and you're in business. Pulse jets can get stupid cheap -- there's not much more to them than sheet metal.

Frame is easy enough to fabricate -- Fusion360 will even simulate your aerodynamics for you.

This thing could be built for waaaay less than $5k; Probably buildable for < $1500, depending on what kind of explosives you load into it -- I have no idea how much those are. It's also well within the range of a hobbyist. Any sort of organized group should have no problem, assuming they can round up an electrical engineer and a machinist.



> Any sort of organized group should have no problem, assuming they can round up an electrical engineer and a machinist.

Thankfully most competent machinists and electrical engineers can find more profitable things to build.

I've said repeatedly, our best defense against terrorism is the fact that terrorists are dumb.

It's why good, old fashioned, people intensive police work is far more effective than high tech solutions.


I agree that most terrorists are dumb - in fact, I wrote a draft post on how I think it came to be that way:

http://braino.org/essays/the_rise_of_the_stupid_terrorist/


That's funny. Clean it up and submit it to Parameters.


You're right, but I also think about how the Zetas had (have?) a habit of kidnapping engineers to build and maintain their radio network.

https://www.wired.com/2012/11/zeta-radio/


I’m not so sure.

His objectives state he is looking to build what is basically a custom jet with a 100mi range and 22lb payload. This significantly out performs the custom RC model turbine jets I found online, and their total weight fueled was like 50lb.

one I found, used, was ~$6K.

https://www.ebay.com/bhp/rc-turbine


No turbine -- pulsejet.

Also video from the same guy talking about pulsejets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8FSa5peEUk




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