The Future of Unmanned Aircraft

Abstract

Recent technological advances such as in securing data links and increasing stealth capability have led to a renewed interest in aircraft which operate without a pilot. There are basically two types of unmanned aircraft. The drone is a vehicle that either follows an entirely preprogrammed trajectory or homes in on a target via a target-seeker. The Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) is more flexible, and can be directed or redirected by a remotely located operator. Drones and RPVs can either be sent on one-way missions or be reusable. Their trajectory is often programmed to form a pattern so as to cover a certain area. The endurance time of flight is therefore one appropriate measure of their capability. Another measure is penetration range, describing the distance between point of launch and the furthest point of their trajectory. Both drones and RPVs could offer advantages above the use of manned aircraft in risky environments, because losses, both in terms of human beings and costs, are smaller.

Cruise missiles, which could technically be defined as drones, are not discussed in this chapter. Neither is the use of drones in peace-time as targets for testing of other weapons.