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The Future of UAVs

By Joshua Jacobs

Advancements in technology used to fight terrorism from Iraq to Afghanistan are not

only a booming business, but a testament to how far these military contracted corporations are

pushing the envelope. One such tool being implemented on the battlefield are UAVs or

unmanned aerial vehicle(s). There are a number of reasons for the bullish effort for the

advancement and development of this technology. Whether its financial savings or cutting outthe cost of human life, there is no denying the benefits of unmanned vehicles.

The US first became involved in the R&D of UAVs as far back as 1959. The thinking was

why lose human pilots over hostile territory if there was a cheaper and more effective way to

wage war in the air? Surprisingly, it was only five years later that the US implemented UAVs in

actual battle. The theater was Vietnam and only after the war did military officials admit it had

secretly flown thousands of missions across the Southeast Asian country with these drones.

The program of implementing unmanned aircraft in the field has come a long way since

the 1960s. Improved sensors ranging from infrared and gamma ray to advanced weapon

systems and chemical and biological detection, the science of UAVs has expanded beyond our

wildest dreams. And these systems and technologies have translated into increased mission

successes where the enemy has attempted to elude friendly forces.

So whats next for a technology that at one time could be considered sci-fi at best? How

about jet propelled units the size of modern day jet fighters? It seems that both Boeing and

Northrop Grumman are taking UAVs to the next level, incorporating jet propulsion, increased

weapon payloads and an expansion of fuel capacity. Were talking about larger, further and

more damaging instruments of warfare.

The writing is on the wall. In an age where the sky is the limit for the continuing

development of technologies in all sectors, UAV development has neared the point of removing

the pilot almost entirely from full size aircraft. Instead, keyboards, mice and large flat screen

monitors have taken their place.

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With the announcement of Boeings Phantom Ray UAV, stealth technology has now

been utilized into an ever increasing, full package. Full bay doors and its internal storage will

be able to house up to two 2,000 pound JDAMS (Joint Direct Attack Munition) while a service

ceiling of 40,000 feet will put it out of range of many air-to air-threats or ground-to-air threats.

The Phantom Rays competitor, Northrop Grummans X-47B, is eerily similar to the now

serviced and full sized B-2 bomber. What the X-47B has going for itself is applications

specifically tailored for naval integration. Salt-water friendly, able to take the shock of hard

aircraft carrier landings and a convenient size for stowaway on crowded decks make it ideal for

high sea deployment.

But the more immediate benefits of this new generation of UAV are lower production

and maintenance costs, the elimination of human pilot loss and equal firepower to their

manned, full size fighter-bomber cousins. Stuffing all of these tools into a near full size aircraft

that can be controlled from the comforts of a cushioned chair with stealth capability arereasons enough why this new generation of UAVs are the best yet.

http://www.homelandsecuritynet.com/HSN/2011/08/the-future-of-uavs-by-joshua-jacobs/