Palm-size spy planes

Abstract

Up-to-date intelligence is a scare commodity on the battlefield. Small semiautonomous surveillance aircraft now being developed could enable combat troops to see what lies beyond the next tree line or over the next hill. Micro aerial vehicles (MAV) are semiautonomous airborne vehicles, measuring less than 6 inches in any dimension and weighing about 4 oz, accomplishing a useful military mission at an affordable cost. Nominal performance goals include real-time imaging, navigation, and communications capabilities, a range of up to 6 miles, and a top speed of up to 30 miles/hr, during missions lasting 20 mins to 2 hrs. MAVs may be regarded as six-degree-of-freedom sensor platforms that will enable a broad spectrum of small-unit and special operations.