Foreword / William G. Robertson -- Introduction -- Aerial reconnaissance in the Army, 1917-1991 -- Development of unmanned flight in the United States -- UAVs in the 1990s -- UAVs in Iraq and Afghanistan -- Conclusion
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Manned aerial reconnaissance, from the balloons of WWI to the helicopters of Vietnam, solidified the tactical need for Army Aviation which remained relatively unchanged until 1990. Significant changes have since occured on the battlefield with the advent of the modern day, unmanned flight and its technological abilities. From its humble beginnings of the suggested use of a toy aircraft kit, to the development and use in today's warfare in Iraq and Afghanistan, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) possesses a deep history. Understanding this past may provide clues into where this technology may be going, and what problems could lie ahead