CIA developed this audio bug called Bugs in the 1970s. It resembles a dragonfly and weighs only one gram. The insects were designed to fly up to 200 meters in just 60 seconds before settling into position to perform audio capture. At six inches long and nine inches wingspan, it was probably the smallest unmanned aerial vehicle developed up to that point. The bug was guided to its destination by a laser beam aimed at its tail by a human operator. The laser beam also acted as the data link for its acoustic signal, a seemingly amazing technological achievement for the era. The initial intention was to create a UAV the size and shape of a bumble bee, but this proved too restrictive at the time.

CIA developed this audio bug called Bugs in the 1970s. It resembles a dragonfly and weighs only one gram. The insects were designed to fly up to 200 meters in just 60 seconds before settling into position to perform audio capture. At six inches long and nine inches wingspan, it was probably the smallest unmanned aerial vehicle developed up to that point. The bug was guided to its destination by a laser beam aimed at its tail by a human operator. The laser beam also acted as the data link for its acoustic signal, a seemingly amazing technological achievement for the era. The initial intention was to create a UAV the size and shape of a bumble bee, but this proved too restrictive at the time.