August 17, 2007: The U.S. Air Force, which operates the largest aircraft in military service, has now begun using the smallest. The air force recently ordered thirty Wasp III UAVs. The one pound, battery powered aircraft has a 29 inch wing span and can stay in the air for 45 minutes at a time. It uses forward and side looking cameras and can fly up to five kilometers from the operator. The Wasp III uses the same ground controller as the five pound Raven UAV used by the army. The same firm makes both Raven and Wasp (and several other small UAVs.) The air force buys small UAVs for use by its security troops, or airmen who are helping the army out with support jobs in Iraq.