It's robo-drone! Tiny policing helicopter used to hunt pirates fires stun gun baton rounds

It's the latest weapon in the war on crime - a tiny tasering remote-controlled helicopter that can also fire shotgun shells and grenades.

The Shadowhawk UAV may only be seven-foot long and weigh a measly 49lbs, but it is already being used to track pirates off the Horn of Africa and enforce law on the streets of the U.S.

The discreetness of the chopper, and its top speeds of 70mph, means it can follow suspects and conduct aerial patrols where traditional police helicopters would never dare to go.

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Crime fighting: The seven-foot remote controlled Shadowhawk can shoot stun batons, and even grenades, at criminals and pirates

Its flight time of up to two-and-a-half hours and ability to launch in 25 knot winds - plus the ability to record footage, and broadcast it in real time, in any condition - is also making it an attractive alternative to more conventional crime-fighting methods.

 

Vanguard Defense Industries took three years to create the Shadowhawk UAV, which is available in five different models.

Buyers have the options of turbine or piston engines, thermal cameras, laser pointers and range finders.

Flying high: The Shadowhawk can reach speeds of 70mph and take-off in high winds

They can also choose to install taser batons, 37mm or 40mm grenade launchers or 12 gauge shotgun rounds.

Other options, which are not publicised via Vanguard's website, are also available to military users.

Online forums have speculated this could mean the addition of precision munitions.

Up, up and away: The Shadowhawk took three years to develop, and is now being used on anti-piracy missions off the coast of East Africa

The firm was in April awarded a multi-million dollar contract from an oil and gas exploration company to conduct anti-piracy operations off the coast of East Africa.

CEO Michael Buscher said: 'The ability of the ShadowHawk to reliably conduct land as well as sea based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations will be critical to stemming the potential of piracy activities against our client.

'This surveillance tool will mitigate threats by providing security personnel with unprecedented early warning capabilities. (Achmad Zaenudin Ali)