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Mini helicopter drone for UK troops in Afghanistan 3 February 2013Last updated at 10:19 ET The Ministry of Defence plans to purchase 160 of the mini drones British soldiers in Afghanistan have become the first to use miniature surveillance helicopters in frontline operations. The drones can fly around corners and obstacles to identify potential hidden dangers, the Ministry of Defence said. The Norwegian-designed Black Hornet Nano features a tiny camera and relays video and still images to a handheld control terminal. It measures about 10cm by 2.5cm (4in by 1in) and weighs 16g (0.6oz). The MoD, which also operates more than 300 larger-sized unmanned air vehicles in Afghanistan, said the Black Hornet is carried easily on patrol and works in harsh environments and windy conditions. They have been in use in Afghanistan since 2012, a spokeswoman confirmed. Mini drones can be piloted directly or programmed to follow co-ordinates using GPS. They can help soldiers on the ground pinpoint hidden Taliban fighters and explosives.

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