The US Marines have issued a $39 million contract for the first low-rate production batch of 330 Predator short-range attack weapons. The Marines plan to buy 5,700 missiles over nine years. Predator weighs 10kg and is designed to destroy main battle tanks at ranges between 17m and 600m. It can also be used to destroy bunkers and blow holes in the sides of masonry buildings. The decision to begin production is critical for the export market; the British Army is considering a variant of Predator.--Stephen V Cole