August 17, 2007:
The U.S. Air Force, which operates
the largest aircraft in military service, has now begun using the smallest. The
air force recently ordered thirty Wasp III UAVs. The one pound, battery powered aircraft has a 29 inch wing
span and can stay in the air for 45 minutes at a time. It uses forward and side
looking cameras and can fly up to five kilometers from the operator. The Wasp
III uses the same ground controller as the five pound Raven UAV used by the
army. The same firm makes both Raven and Wasp (and several other small UAVs.)
The air force buys small UAVs for use by its security troops, or airmen who are
helping the army out with support jobs in Iraq.