Lockheed Martin has an agreement with the U.S. government to develop nano vehicles to use in combat. Last week the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) awarded the company a $1.7-million, 10-month contract to design a remote-controlled nano air vehicle (NAV), which will be used to collect military intelligence on the urban battlefield.

The NAV will be about the size of a maple seed and have a chemical rocket enclosed in its one-bladed wing, which powers a sensor payload module for more than 1,100 yards. The 0.07-ounce module is interchangeable, depending on the mission. The NAV itself will be about 1.5 inches long with a maximum takeoff weight of 0.35 ounces. Its wing will also house telemetry, communications, navigation, imaging sensors, and battery power.

The designers envision soldiers launching the NAV in indoor or outdoor combat situations and viewing its flight path through its embedded camera. The NAV will fly like a one-blade helicopter, with its camera providing a stable view, and transmit images back to a hand-held display.

The contract will fund conceptual design and risk reduction using prototypes of the NAV's parts. Following a design review set for the summer of 2007, DARPA may fund an additional 18-month period during which Lockheed Martin will design and test a flying prototype.