Poi said:Imagine an ice cream cone, the kind that flairs at the top to hold the scoop of ice cream. Cut off the pointed end of the cone and enclose it with a flat bottom. Turn the whole thing upside down, extend the tripod legs and you've basically got the image. I think I remember hardware on the outside of it like perhaps gauges or small doors. It's just been too long, longer than my current memory serves. But then I was creeped out by it too..
I think I remember seeing the craft you are talking about. It's donut shaped with angled sides. I don't remember what program it was on. Maybe a show call "From Tactical to Practical" on History Channel?
I found some similar technology with videos:
http://www.robotclips.com/video/16/UAV-Launched-from-MDARS.html
http://www.honeywell.com/sites/portal?smap=aerospace&page=mav_video&theme=T8