The U.S. military has been developing spy drones disguised as insects and other small forms, the Joongang Ilbo newspaper reported Wednesday.
On Monday, it made public replicas of tiny spy drones at an air base in Ohio.
Work to make 10 different kinds of drones disguised as dragonflies, moths and others is underway at the Wright-Patterson Air Base, reports say.
The Raven, which measures 90 centimeters in length, is the smallest spy drone deployed in action so far, according to the report.
Last February, AeroVironment in California announced the development of a spy drone, which looks impressively like a hummingbird in flight. It is merely 9 centimeters long.
Spy drones infiltrate into enemy camps to carry out reconnaissance missions. The smaller they are, the closer they can move toward targets.
The U.S. Defense Department plans to make tiny “insect” spy drones equipped with cameras and sensors by 2030, the report said.
11일 미국 오하이오주 라이트 패터슨 공군기지에서 공개된 곤충 크기의 차세대 드론 (무인항공기) 모형.
이 기지의 실험실은 잠자리나 나방 등 곤충의 모양과 움직임을 본뜬 무인항공기 10여종을 개발 중인 것으로 알려졌다.
현재 실전에 투입된 가장 작은 드론은 길이 90센티미터의 레이븐 (까마귀)이다. 지난 2월에는 9센티미터 길이의 벌새 드론이 개발됐다.
초소형 드론은 적진에 침투가 가능해 주로 정찰 임무에 활용된다. 크기가 작을수록 목표물에 더 가까이 접근할 수 있기 때문에 활용도가 더욱 높아진다.
미 국방부는 2030년까지 카메라와 센서를 장착한 초소형 곤출 드론을 개발할 계획이다.
Foreigners' crimes jump 80% from 2012 
World's fastest train to run Shanghai-Beijing 
S. Korea-US joint military drill begins Monday amid N. Korean threats 
Moon sheds light on dark history 
Plagiarism found in 1,500 college admission essays 
Man kills woman after failed sexual assault 
'A Taxi Driver' attracts 10 million viewers; 15th Korean film in history 
Moon reaffirms wartime OPCON transfer 
Powerful explosion at STX shipyard; four killed 
Playboy hits Korea - but no nudes 
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
