We examined the history of failed experiments, analyzed aerodynamic problems, and reviewed theoretical approaches to stabilizing a disc-shaped vehicle. The main question remains now: is there any advanced technology that can allow for the realization of a “flying saucer”? Can powerful control systems, artificial intelligence, electrohydrodynamic drives or plasma engines ensure stable flight? In this article, we will consider the most promising engineering solutions and evaluate their effectiveness for creating a disk-shaped vehicle.
Modern technology that can help
Active aerodynamics and electronic control. Nowadays, there are high-performance computer systems capable of making thousands of adjustments per second. Something like this is already being used in aviation: for example, the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk fighter jet was unstable, but its flight was stabilized by a computer via an electro-remote system (fly-by-wire) — the plane would have fallen without it. In the same way, a disk that is unstable on its own can be stabilized by a computer controlling the engines and surfaces. Advanced MEMS gyroscopes, fast servo motors, and differential thrust systems — all of these make it possible to “equalize” a vehicle in real time. Basically, instead of natural static stability, we get dynamic stability supported by automation. This opens the door to the flight of unconventional (non-standard) forms. There is no longer a need to have a tail and a long wing — fast sensors and actuators are enough. The first use is for drones: nowadays quadcopters are unstable, but the flight is controlled electronically, so they hover absolutely motionless. The disk airplane could have several small fans or jet nozzles around the perimeter, and the controller would constantly adjust their thrust to keep the horizon.
Plasma and aerial actuators. Once mentioned, plasma devices (Dielectric Barrier Discharge Actuators, or DBD actuators) are capable of modifying the fairing. Now this technology is being intensively researched: there are experiments with plasma control of wing fairing, turbulence reduction, delayed flow stall, and others. This is especially valuable for the disk — for example, you can “suck” air where you need it on the fly and dampen the perturbation buds.
Left side (Plasma OFF): The flow breaks away from the surface to form a separation bubble. This creates additional resistance and reduces the effectiveness of the airfoil. Right side (Plasma ON): The DBD actuator generates a plasma jet that presses the flow to the surface. This means reducing resistance, increasing lift, and controlling turbulence.
Synthetic jet actuators — small drivers or solenoids that release pulsating jets of air — are also promising. They can act as mini-jet rudders without requiring much power, and control micro-vibrations. Let’s imagine a disk, along the edge of which every 10 cm is a tiny exhaust port, and under it a chamber with a diaphragm. The controller constantly adjusts which ports to release air from and with what force; thus, if necessary, extra thrust can be created on one side of the disk or lift force can be reduced (conversely, dampened) to equalize roll. This is a very flexible control system, which is impossible in older mechanical vehicles.
Independent vector motors. In the case of ADIFO, we see the use of multiple motors with the ability to change the direction of thrust. Modern jet engines can have steering nozzles (vector thrust is used on fighter jets for super maneuverability). If a disk is equipped with, for example, three or four small turbo-jet engines in a circle and each can deflect the jet, then the combined intelligent control can create any kind of momentum: turn the vehicle around, tilt it, dampen the oscillations. It is kind of analogous to the control in rockets (where multiple engines give stability), only adapted to atmospheric flight.
New materials and sensors. In order to be effective, the “flying saucer” should be as light as possible and stiff at the same time, since any deformations can negate control accuracy. Modern composite materials (carbon fiber, Kevlar, titanium) provide a strong lightweight disk case. It is also important to put the cargo (engines, fuel) close to the center to reduce the moments of inertia — this is also possible due to the compactness of modern turbines and batteries. Another aspect is sensorics: it is now possible to get a complete picture of the flow around the vehicle (via pressure sensors, atmospheric lidar scanners, etc.) and react promptly accordingly. This makes control more “conscious” rather than just reactive.
Promising technologies for the future of disc-shaped aircraft
Taking a look ahead, there are several directions that can make disk-shaped vehicles really effective in the future:
Artificial intelligence systems. In the future, AI can optimize real-time vehicle control better than humans. A machine-learning autopilot could account for and predict the nonlinear effects of disk fairing. This is especially useful for a vehicle that flies on the edge of stability; AIs would be able to not only react, but also proactively adjust the elements of control, keeping the saucer “afloat” even in turbulence or when performing complex maneuvers.
Non-contact thrust (magnetohydrodynamics). There is a dream to use MHD not only for small craft, but also for large ones. Let’s imagine a disk with superconducting electromagnets ionizing and accelerating the air around it — this would give both levitation and silent flight. The water analog is underwater vehicles with magnetohydrodynamic drive (remember sci-fi: “The Hunt for Red October” with screwless propulsion). It is more difficult to realize this in the air due to the rarefaction of the medium, but with the development of high voltage and superconductor technologies, we can assume the emergence of larger plasma flying vehicles.
Electric aviation and new energy sources. One of the barriers to disc-shaped aircraft is energetic: it takes a lot of energy to race the air around the vehicle all the time. However, if capacitive batteries or compact reactor units become available, this could make long duration active-circulation flight possible. For example, a nuclear power plant could power a plasma disk continuously (there are even historical concepts of nuclear “flying saucers” in the US during the Cold War – a lenticular reentry vehicle (LRV) that was supposed to use a nuclear reactor). LRV is a disk-shaped spacecraft concept designed to re-enter the atmosphere from space with minimal heating and increased stability. Hydrogen fuel cells are also being developed now, which can give a lot of power at low weight — potentially suitable for powering electric fans or plasma disk circuits.
Adaptive structures. A promising idea is to make the disk slightly transformed. For example, at low speeds it unfolds extra flaps or changes the surface curvature for stability, and at high speeds it hides everything extra and becomes flat for minimum drag. Modern mechanisms and “smart materials” (shape memory or stress-controlled) can enable geometrically adaptive aerodynamics. Imagine an edge of the disk that can rise like a circular “skirt” while hovering (improving air cushion), and when transitioning to winged flight it lowers and flattens out. These adaptive designs will greatly expand the range of flight modes.
New principles of flight (hybrid of RV and aerodynamics). In the distant future, there may be radically different technologies: gravity shields, inertial compensators, etc. that will allow disc-shaped aircraft to ignore some aerodynamic constraints. But this is already more from the field of hypotheses and science fiction. Now the main trend is to combine traditional physical principles with high-precision electronics and new materials.
Advances in technology are leading us closer to the possibility of creating aircraft capable of operating according to new principles of aerodynamics. Computerized control, plasma flow generators, adaptive surfaces, and contactless propulsion could make disc-shaped vehicles a reality. Although there is still a long way to practical implementation, research in this area is ongoing.
