Is it possible to shrink and expand the drone war at the same time? Militaries and companies around the world are racing to do just that.
The use of drones is quietly expanding beyond America's domain now, as British forces in Afghanistan are currently flying miniature drones out in the field.
The new machine, dubbed the "Black Hornet," is too small to be armed with a weapon, but it can be used by a single soldier to survey an area for potential danger. Measuring 4 inches long, the Black Hornet is outfitted with a tiny camera that can record still images as well as video, and is designed to be used by an individual solider as a kind of personal reconnaissance unit.
"We use it to look for insurgent firing points and check out exposed areas of the ground before crossing, which is a real asset. It is very easy to operate and offers amazing capability to the guys on the ground," said Sergeant Christopher Petherbridge of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force in Afghanistan in a statement. ""Black Hornet is definitely adding value, especially considering the lightweight nature of it."
The British Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne added a similar statement of support.
"Black Hornet gives our troops the benefits of surveillance in the palm of their hands," he said. "It is extremely light and portable whilst out on patrol."
Though the Black Hornet is the latest machine to be deployed in the Afghani war zone, other companies are racing to decrease the size of drones while maintaining their lethal force.
In a Wired article last July, defense company Raytheon revealed that it's working on a laser-guided bomb measuring only two feet long that could be attached to a smaller drone, ensuring it retains offensive capabilities.
Of course, even this laser bomb would be too large for a drone like the Black Hornet, but the trajectory seems to be set in stone. Drones are here to stay, and it might not be too long before even tiny ones can cause some damage.
