AV awarded DARPA phase II for nano tech

MONROVIA, Calif., July 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded AeroVironment Inc. a phase II extension to continue development of its nano air vehicle technology.

California-based AV has been working on a flying prototype for the Nano Air Vehicle Program as part of an effort to develop a small flapping winged aircraft about the size of a bird capable of indoor and outdoor intelligence and reconnaissance operations.

DARPA recently awarded AV a phase II contract for the continued development of the nano aerial vehicle technology worth $2.1 million that officials say extends the work through the summer of 2010.

"The Nano Air Vehicle program will push the limits of aerodynamic and power conversion efficiency, endurance, and maneuverability for very small, flapping wing air vehicle systems," Todd Hylton, AV DARPA program manager, said in a statement.

"The goals of the Nano Air Vehicle program … will stretch our understanding of flight at these small sizes and require novel technology development."