Good Things Come in Small Packages

So small!

WASP and its control module are small enough to fit in a school size backpack.

More on Military Robots

The U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and Marine Corps are getting a new perspective in aerial reconnaissance thanks to the unmanned Wasp III micro air vehicle. With a wing span of 2.375 feet (72 centimeters) and weighing just under one pound, the Wasp III and its control module are small enough to fit in a school-size backpack.
The battlefield is a dangerous place and time is of the essence. The Wasp III is ready for the challenge. In a moment's notice, this micro air vehicle is out of the backpack, mounted on its wrist launcher, pulled back and let go. The Wasp III has a mission endurance of 45 minutes and a ceiling of 600 feet. Once it’s high in the sky the unit is basically invisible to the naked eye.

Once airborne, the Wasp utilizes one or all three onboard cameras. The forward camera maintains field orientation with a broad view of the scene. High power magnification is used for target investigation via the side view camera. The Wasp automatically circles the designated area, keeping the target in the side camera's field of view. The micro air vehicle also comes with an onboard infrared camera for night vision and other special operations.