We are used to consider flying saucers a very futuristic and alien thing. Many stories about UFOs and other extraterrestrial guests made us think that such flying objects cannot be built by human. However, they are no longer science fiction. Scientists from Florida managed to develop a working prototype of flying saucer, which is already being built and will be finished this winter. 
It was inevitable that interesting idea of flying saucers will find its reflection in science. Thanks to their round form, they have very good maneuverability, are silent and can take off and land vertically. In the past, engineers tried to use the air flow to get that effect. They used big fans to produce lifting force, but this method was neither quiet nor comfortable. This time the engine is far more advanced and futuristic: it uses plasma to produce lifting force. Stepped from the pages of sci-fi books, plasma engines are, unfortunately, at a very low stage of development. They are still not powerful enough to lift big weights, so this prototype cannot carry neither human nor alien guys yet. However, its power will be enough for carrying some investigation gear or other small things. It is named WEAV (Wingless Electromagnetic Air Vehicle), and is developed and designed by Subrata Roy, associate professor of University of Florida. 
The main reason, why this device will fly, is hidden all along its body. Huge amount of electrodes ionize surrounding air in a small area around WEAV. After that, powerful current will be pushed through this ionized gas. Force that is produced in this reaction will twist the air around the device, lifting it up. Developer also thought about stability even under strong wind blows, so this flying machine can be used even in the windy areas. What makes this engine different from others, it that it can be turned on and operate instantly, making WEAV a very maneuverable vehicle. The biggest problem in this concept is the amount of energy used. It will need a good energy source to operate, and the bigger it will be, the more powerful energy source must be installed. Another problem is that surrounding plasma around this flying saucer will prevent radio waves from being sent and received, which makes it harder to control this device remotely. Unfortunately, WEAV is unable to fly without air, so if it is planned for use in space, then it needs another source of plasma. Developer claims that these problems can be solved, and he is already working on possible solutions.
Even as this flying device is far from being finished, USAF and NASA are already interested in this project. This type of flying machines can be widely used by military for recon and surveillance, or by NASA for researching planets that has atmosphere. "Of course, the risk is very high, but it is worth it - optimistically claims engineer - if it will succeed we will have an airplane, "flying saucer" and helicopter in one device".
