AeroVironment has unveiled a new tablet-controlled mini-drone engineered with infrared sensor technology and an ability for soldiers on-the-move to detect nearby threats.
The Snipe mini-drone can reach 22mph for a distance of almost a mile, and endure winds up to 20 mph, according to AeroVironment statements. It is a 140-gram autonomous quadcopter.
The drone has GPS navigation capability and once airborne, the soldier can program in “waypoints” for the mission on the control tablet. The Snipe’s flight duration is about 15 minutes, but replaceable batteries mean that its mission can be extended to 30 minutes when necessary.