Mini Spy Drones Win Fans at Homeland Security

How could they not love snoopy technology?

There was a time when the Department of Homeland Security wasn't enthusiastic about its drone fleet. Unmanned flying surveillance 'bots had the potential to freak out the public, top DHS science and technology officials worried. That time has evidently passed — particularly for smaller flying spies.

In the coming months, Fort Sill, Oklahoma will become a proving ground to learn what small surveillance drones can add to "first responder, law enforcement and border security scenarios," according to a recent solicitation to the country's various drone manufacturers. Each selected drone wil undergo five days' worth of tests as part of a new program from DHS' Science and Technology directorate, called Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety or, gloriously, RAPS.