Reply #17: Not really

[bl968]

$1,900

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9cSxEqKQ78

A T-Hawk military grade drone which the Miami/Dade County just bought $200,000

The gasoline engine powered drone is reported to weigh 8.4 kilograms (20 lb), have an endurance of around 40 minutes, 10,500-foot (3,200 m) ceiling and an operating radius of about 6 nautical miles (11 km). Forward speeds up to 70 knots (130 km/h) have been achieved, but the G-MAV is operationally restricted to 50 knots (93 km/h) by software. VTOL operation is subject to a maximum wind speed of 15 knots (28 km/h). Sensors include one forward and one downward looking daylight or IR cameras.

Once again this is cheap with Homeland Security Grants.