Reference news network reported on April 14 that the US media said that the US Army is developing a UAV that can be launched with a grenade launcher.

According to the U.S. "Stars and Stripes" website reported on April 9, one day, the frontline combatants of the U.S. Army may find that their grenade launcher has a new purpose-launching a miniature camera drone into the air to observe the invisible Enemy threat.

At the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, USA, scientists at the US Army Research Laboratory are developing a miniature drone. It is the same size as the US Army ’s 40mm grenade and can be launched using the US Army ’s standard M203 grenade launcher. Scientists named it the new "Grenade Launching UAV System" (GLUAS).

The report believes that for U.S. infantrymen who are fighting on the front lines in places like eastern and northern Afghanistan, such drones may become their saviors. Because in these places, tall and rugged mountains often cover the location and whereabouts of the enemy ’s armed men. John Geddes, a mechanical engineer involved in the project, said that when attacked by an enemy of unknown location, soldiers can launch GLUAS drones and then get a "bird's eye view" of the battlefield almost immediately.

Geddes said in a U.S. Army press release: "This device can provide an autonomous and intelligent platform that can help soldiers have an observation post located hundreds of feet high in the air when performing missions." It is not clear when it will be completed and put into use.

Geddes said that the U.S. Army is developing two versions of GLUAS drones-one of which is similar to a paraglider, and the other version is designed like a helicopter that can hover. Both versions are expected to be able to fly in the air for more than 600 meters for at least 90 minutes.

He said that because the size, weight, and shape of this drone are similar to the Army's standard grenade, it should be easy to fit into the standard equipment carried by combat soldiers.

According to the report, once launched, the drones will unfold their wings and be powered by their own engines, allowing soldiers to use a joystick or other handheld devices for remote control. Airborne cameras can transmit real-time video back to soldiers on the ground from a distance of two kilometers away.

US Army officials said that being able to fire drones like shells would allow them to reach the air faster and detect threats as quickly as possible.