This paper reviews the background of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), tracing UAV technology from its genesis through to the promising UAV systems in development today. It provides historical insight into the enabling technologies which make UAVs uniquely capable of a variety of missions beyond their traditional roles in aerial reconnaissance. Finally, the controversy over Manned vs. Unmanned Aircraft is raised to shake up the cultural inertia which seems to constrain UAV applications in the Revolution in Military Affairs. Regardless of the winner of that debate, UAV systems are politically and fiscally relevant to our military today and in the uncertain future.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles - Promises and Potential
1997
47 pages
Report
No indication
English