Nano Sensors Enhancing Warfighters' Situational Awareness

The miniaturization of electronic and electro-mechanical systems, including sensors, computers, and flight controls enable designers to create innovative'flying sensors.' Sensors that can deploy autonomously or under human supervision to extend human perception – vision, hearing and situational awareness. Given the small dimensions of such platforms, they can be operated by a single person who carries several such pieces in their pouches. Although small drones – helicopters and multirotor – are commercially available for several years, they have yet to find their right place in the military. Limited payload weight and endurance, unreliable communications – particularly over the extended range or in urban terrain, and environment congested electronic interference and limited power on board, are all limiting factors for the military use of commercial systems. Some small multirotor drones are designed specifically for military purposes.