US Air Force developing deadly, insect-sized drones

The United States is making insect-sized drones, which are capable of flying, hovering and crawling to carry out extended surveillance tasks as well as lethal targeted missions.

The US Air Force Research Laboratory has recently released a promotional video on the new project, Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs), displaying the capabilities of the tiny drones that are expected to transform war by downsizing the combatants.

According to the video, the small size and swift flights enable the tiny drones to secretly enter locations that are not accessible by “traditional means of aerial surveillance.”

“Individual MAVs may perform direct attack missions and can be equipped with incapacitating chemicals, combustible payloads or even explosives for precision targeting capability,” the video further highlights.

The Air Force says that data would be communicated among the MAVs to allow “real time, reliable decision-making and to provide an advanced overall picture for other platforms or operators.”

“MAVs will become a vital element in the ever-changing war-fighting environment and will help ensure success on the battlefield of the future,” describes the promotional video.

The US has used its assassination and surveillance drones in several countries including Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Somalia.

The remote-controlled aircraft varies in size and form with some being as small as model airplanes and others as large as military Predators.