Honeywell gains rare license to fly aerial drones.

• Author: Magnuson, Stew
• Position: SECURITY BEAT: HOMELAND DEFENSE BRIEFS - Honeywell International - Brief article

* The Federal Aviation Administration granted an experimental airworthiness certificate to Honeywell International to fly its ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle in national airspace.

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The FAA has been notoriously stingy in granting such licenses in the past. Honeywell's gasoline powered micro air vehicle is only the fifth to receive such a designation. The agency is responsible for ensuring the national airspace is safe, and is concerned that a pilotless vehicle could cause a deadly accident.

Experimental UAVs are allowed to fly in restricted airspaces such as military bases, but are rarely allowed to venture outside their perimeters.

The wingless UAV has already seen action in Iraq with the Army, according to...