07:02 pm - Monday
Drone with video camera, Sarkozy launches a security-plan
Paris, France - The spy-machine might be in operation as from 2008
(WAPA) - In Paris, at the Milipol, the global show for the internal security of the States, a prototype of the drone called ELSA (Engin léger pour la surveillance aérienne) has been presented. It was a small remoted control aircraft, equipped by an electric engine, able to keep watch on great events and the hot spots of the French capital, spot the terrorists or bandits, locate the thugs who have improper arms or molotov bottles during a manifestation.
After the revolt in the banlieues, the Sarkozy government started this project and the first drones will be delivered to the French Home Office next Decem,ber 15th to be tested, and later given to the police departments.
This little plane, 1 metre large and 60 centimetres long, costs about EUR 10,000. It will fly at an altitude of around 150 metres (even if it can go up to 50 metres). It weights less than 1 kilogram and has a range of 40 minutes.
The project caused heavy reactions. Many people are afraid of possible privacy violatioons. Daniel Goldberg, a socialist member of Seine-Saint-Denis department, asked for a debate in Parliament. "Our quarters - he said - are not comparable to the extreme cases of hostages or Countries in civil war". (Avionews)
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Direttore Clara Moschini