It is perhaps the future of policing in America and an incredible looking; large wingspan air machine is apparently headed to Houston.

Sources tell 11 News that Mayor Bill White, and Police Chief Harold Hurtt came up with the idea to use drones -- unmanned flying machines -- to help with traffic mobility.

They could also be used for police tactical situations. Like the SWAT incident at NASA in April.

Executive Assistant Chief Martha Montalva confirmed the department is close to making it happen.

“And what's important and what needs to get out there is we are doing this in cooperation and assistance with the FAA,” said Montalva.

A few police agencies across the country have tried to use drones in the past two years, but most have been unsuccessful.

11 News learned the drones that were used were like small model airplanes, some costing just $30,000.

Houston will be different, Montalvo says.

“I can tell you right now, I don't want to get into specifics, but we are looking at state of the art, actually drones that have been used by the military,” said Montalvo.

HPD and Miami's police department have been talking with the FAA and drone manufactures about testing these large drones that cost about $1 million each.

One manufactured by Honeywell, has two cameras. It is more of a hovercraft that can sky as high as 10,500 feet.

Houston is leaning towards using something like one made by Insitu.

Pilots control both systems on the ground that must go through extensive training.