Palm Bay Police want the FAA go-ahead to start operating a surveillance drone for crime-fighting, drug surveillance and route reconnaissance for convoys. The $38,000 Cyberbug aircraft (image: tinyurl.com/287xwh) and support equipment is already available and the department has applied for limited authorization to fly and train with the craft. The CyberBug is laptop-operated and would normally fly at or below 400ft above ground level (see tinyurl.com/2p7t2y). CyberDefense, a St. Petersburg-based company, has already hunkered down with the FAA to examine the drone's operating manuals and technical specifications. A flight demonstration is planned for June. The Cyberbug actually comes in three different sizes and varying capabilities. You can see them graphically illustrated in photos and videos at tinyurl.com/2xpxat. As well as having a TV capability, it has task automation built in. Autonomous Flight Modes include waypoint Navigation, automatic landings and convoy following. Related link