A tiny military spy drone that can be worn on a soldier’s clothing and launched from the palm of the hand has been unveiled by engineers in the US.
Developed by unmanned air systems (UAS) specialist Aerovironment, the so-called Snipe quadcopter, which weighs 140g, has been developed specifically for close-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
According to a statement issued by the firm, 20 of the drones were delivered to the US government in April.
Powered by rechargeable batteries that give it around 15 minutes of flight time, the tiny device is claimed to be capable of flight speeds of more than 20mph and has a range of over 1km.
What’s more, thanks to its quiet electric motors, it’s said to be difficult to detect in operating environments with even minimal ambient noise.
“Snipe’s tiny size belies its impressive capabilities,” said Kirk Flittie, AeroVironment vice president and general manager of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment. “It is quick, quiet, fast, durable and packed with advanced features critical to helping our customers succeed in close-range missions.”
The aircraft is equipped with electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR), low-light-capable and long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensors and can relay high-resolution images and record real-time video both day and night.
Controlled using an app on a standard touch screen controller, Snipe is claimed to be capable of operating under challenging environmental conditions including wind gusts of up to 20mph. An integrated UHF radio allows non-line-of-sight operation, and the drone is able to return to its operator automatically if it loses its radio link.
The technology is based on advances made by the company in the development of the Nano Hummingbird, an experimental flapping wing drone that it developed as part of a DARPA project.
So-called Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) have been a major area of development in the defence sector for a number of years.
The Black Hornet, a 15g helicopter, developed by Norwegian firm Prox Dynamics — which began life developing devices for the remote-control plane market — was adopted by British forces following an urgent 2011 MoD call for a “Nano UAS” for use in Afghanistan. In the meantime a number of groups around the world – including UK firm Animal Dynamics – are continuing to explore the development of next-generation drones that mimic the flapping wing flight of an insect.
The over-riding impression I had, seeing this picture was recollection(s) of a small boy (this one!) launching a paper-dart from the clock-tower of his school! to see how far it would go into deepest Hertfordshire. It may not be widely known, but in the 60s there was an informal and long-standing competition amongst senior staff to design and fly a paper-dart that would travel across the River Thames from the M0D. Initiated by the RAF: most of the entrants were from that part of the Services. The launch-pad was the ‘Air Ministry roof’ (of weather forcasting fame) and a single rubber band was allowed as the catapult. (literally) A family member (who had a lot of scrambled egg on his hat) did opine that the flights seemed to be longer/better when Parliament was in session: and that this was because hot-air rises!
We also have hot air issues often on this side of the pond at Foggy Bottoms.