Both companies have significant operations in nuclear-power technology and infrastructure, which have seen business dry up since Japan's earthquake and meltdowns at the Fukushima reactors.

Harris says drones have also been used in natural disaster situations, including at the Fukushima plant after the earthquake in Japan.

The Japanese authorities say that the radiation crisis at the nuclear plant which was damaged in Friday's earthquake and tsunami is worsening, and levels are now high enough to affect human health.