Weighing only a few grams, the spacecraft would be little more than a chip containing a camera, communications devices and navigation equipment.

He said that technicians had repaired the aircraft's three engines and retrofitted electronic and navigation equipment.

It can plot movements and conversations using information from social networking sites, satellite navigation equipment, mobile phones and electronic financial transactions.

With no night vision or navigation equipment the fighters navigate instead by the stars and sun.

From time to time, with the autopilot on, he'll disappear below deck into the spartan, low-ceilinged cabin to check the navigation equipment.