From Popular Science
January 1988 issue
Just to hit some of the highlights from the article...
"COVER STORY - Micro Planes - Six-inch-long spy planes with tiny video
cameras can fly down narrow city streets or behind enemy lines.  They
may already be watching you."
"Over the next three to five years, the federal government wants
industry to produce prototypes of what it calls micro air vehicles, or
MAVs.  The Defense Advanced Researched Projects Agency (DARPA) says
the craft can be no larger than 6 inches across, and 'capable of
performing a useful military mission at an affordable cost.'"
"The military wants a soldier to be able to reach into his backpack,
pop out a micro vehicle, hand launch it, and then remotely monitor
what it detects.  MAVs could fly over a hill to see what lies ahead,
sniff out land mines, or detect the presence of chemical or biological
agents.  More combative versions might act as mini cruise missiles or
radar-zappers."
"Black Widow - The disc-shaped plane, 6 inches in diameter...  can be
launched from a box with the touch of a button...  It can cruise
quietly at 35 mph, using small electric motors to power a miniature
propeller and two control flaps."
"Crucifix Delta - This experimental 6-inch-long glider, which is both
horizontally and vertically symmetrical, could stand on it's tail for
takeoff."  Viewed from top, bottom, or either side, it's triangular.
... "The discontented child cries for toasted snow." -Arab proverb
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