** Needham raises PT on networking device maker Lantronix LTRX.O to $5.50 from $4.50; retains "buy" rating

** Shares of LTRX up 2.5% at $4.60 premarket

** Brokerage notes increased confidence in LTRX's nascent drone business

** Expects 'several million' dollars in drone sales this year for company's system-on-a-module solution (SoM), which processes visual and audio data and communicates with terrestrial networks

** "LTRX recently announced its collaboration with Teledyne cameras, and we see its recent win with Red Cat, announced in mid-August, as early evidence of success" - Needham

** All four analysts covering the stock have a "buy" or higher rating; median PT is $5.25 - data compiled by LSEG

** As of last close, LTRX up ~9% YTD

(Reporting by Anuj T in Bengaluru)

((anuj.t@thomsonreuters.com))