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Источник:
From missile targets to missile launchers
AUBREY COHEN
March 28, 2013
Getty ImagesOpponents of the U.S. program to target suspected Islamic militants with unmanned drones have announced a month-long series of protests planned for April.Meanwhile, a new National Center for Policy Analysis study calls for exploring the civilian, commercial and scientific applications of drones, while taking into account privacy concerns.These two stories illustrate how big a deal drones have become over the past decade or so. But unmanned aerial vehicles have been around a lot longer than that. Click on for a look at drones going back to World War II.
Getty ImagesOpponents of the U.S. program to target suspected Islamic militants with unmanned drones have announced a month-long series of protests planned for April.
Meanwhile, a new National Center for Policy Analysis study calls for exploring the civilian, commercial and scientific applications of drones, while taking into account privacy concerns.
These two stories illustrate how big a deal drones have become over the past decade or so. But unmanned aerial vehicles have been around a lot longer than that. Click on for a look at drones going back to World War II.
PhotoQuest/Getty ImagesView of an experimental, radar pilotless aircraft, or drone, nestled under the wing of a PN4Y2 naval aircraft in 1945.
PhotoQuest/Getty ImagesView of an experimental, radar pilotless aircraft, or drone, nestled under the wing of a PN4Y2 naval aircraft in 1945.
US Navy/Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImageWhile today's drones launch missiles at suspected militants, early versions were more often targets in missile tests. Here, a redeye missile closes in on a radio-controlled drone in 1966.
US Navy/Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImageWhile today's drones launch missiles at suspected militants, early versions were more often targets in missile tests. Here, a redeye missile closes in on a radio-controlled drone in 1966.
David Rubinger/Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImageIsrael Aircraft Industries workers assemble a drone in 1989.
David Rubinger/Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImageIsrael Aircraft Industries workers assemble a drone in 1989.
Carla Thomas/Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImageLockheed Martin built the DarkStar High Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to provide battlefield commanders and intelligence agencies with reconnaissance data.
Carla Thomas/Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImageLockheed Martin built the DarkStar High Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to provide battlefield commanders and intelligence agencies with reconnaissance data.
Mark H. Milstein/Getty Images Russian army soldiers prepare a pilotless drone aircraft at a secret base near the Chechen capital Grozny in 1999. The Russians used drones to search for Chechen rebel positions.
Mark H. Milstein/Getty Images Russian army soldiers prepare a pilotless drone aircraft at a secret base near the Chechen capital Grozny in 1999. The Russians used drones to search for Chechen rebel positions.
Mai/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image Northrop Gumman's 44-foot-long Global Hawk first flew in 1998. In 2008, Global Hawk set the endurance record for a full-scale, operational unmanned aircraft, flying for 33.1 hours at altitudes up to 60,000 feet over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Mai/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image Northrop Gumman's 44-foot-long Global Hawk first flew in 1998. In 2008, Global Hawk set the endurance record for a full-scale, operational unmanned aircraft, flying for 33.1 hours at altitudes up to 60,000 feet over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Bill Greenblatt/Getty Images Onlookers move in for a closer look at Boeing's new Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle on September 27, 2000 during an unveiling ceremony at the Boeing Company plant in St. Louis, Mo.
Bill Greenblatt/Getty Images Onlookers move in for a closer look at Boeing's new Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle on September 27, 2000 during an unveiling ceremony at the Boeing Company plant in St. Louis, Mo.
FRANCOIS MORI/AFP/Getty Images An Israeli flag flutters next to an Harpy IAI-MBT Attack Drone as part of the Israeli display during the 44th Paris Air Show on June 21, 2001.
FRANCOIS MORI/AFP/Getty Images An Israeli flag flutters next to an Harpy IAI-MBT Attack Drone as part of the Israeli display during the 44th Paris Air Show on June 21, 2001.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images U.S. Marines watch a demonstration of the Dragon Eye drone on February 16, 2003, in Kuwait. The drone can fly over enemy lines for one hour, sending back infrared real time images.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images U.S. Marines watch a demonstration of the Dragon Eye drone on February 16, 2003, in Kuwait. The drone can fly over enemy lines for one hour, sending back infrared real time images.
Scott Peterson/Getty Images Iraqi officials show off their 7.45-meter-wingspan Remotely Piloted Vehicle 30A, or the "Jerusalem 10," to members of the news media on March 12, 2003 in Baghdad. Iraq declared the drone in a January 15, 2003 report, but with a 4.4-meter wingspan, an error that Iraqis say was a "typing mistake." Though the drone looked like a science project, with tin foil and duct tape holding it together, U.S. officials building a case for war called it a "smoking gun."
Scott Peterson/Getty Images Iraqi officials show off their 7.45-meter-wingspan Remotely Piloted Vehicle 30A, or the "Jerusalem 10," to members of the news media on March 12, 2003 in Baghdad. Iraq declared the drone in a January 15, 2003 report, but with a 4.4-meter wingspan, an error that Iraqis say was a "typing mistake." Though the drone looked like a science project, with tin foil and duct tape holding it together, U.S. officials building a case for war called it a "smoking gun."
ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images In September 2003, a U.S. Army Hunter drone killed two suspected roadside bombers in northern Iraq by dropping a bomb on them, "a first in army aviation history," according to the Army.
ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images In September 2003, a U.S. Army Hunter drone killed two suspected roadside bombers in northern Iraq by dropping a bomb on them, "a first in army aviation history," according to the Army.
FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/Getty Images The Eagle, a drone made by European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) is shown at the Paris Air Show on June 17. 2003.
FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/Getty Images The Eagle, a drone made by European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) is shown at the Paris Air Show on June 17. 2003.
U.S. Air Force/Getty Images In this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, airmen with the 64th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron move an RQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at Tallil Air Base in Iraq.
U.S. Air Force/Getty Images In this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, airmen with the 64th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron move an RQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at Tallil Air Base in Iraq.
AFP/AFP/Getty Images German soldiers stand next to a drone prior to its launch north of Kabul, Afghanistan on Oct. 14, 2003.
AFP/AFP/Getty Images German soldiers stand next to a drone prior to its launch north of Kabul, Afghanistan on Oct. 14, 2003.
Getty Images This prototype remote control helicopter being developed for use by the Israeli military was stolen on November 9, 2003, an act described as "industrial espionage."
Getty Images This prototype remote control helicopter being developed for use by the Israeli military was stolen on November 9, 2003, an act described as "industrial espionage."
Getty Images This undated handout from Elbit Systems Ltd. shows a Hermes 450 unmanned airborn vehicle in flight.
Getty Images This undated handout from Elbit Systems Ltd. shows a Hermes 450 unmanned airborn vehicle in flight.
MEHDI FEDOUACH/AFP/Getty Images French soldiers set up a drone on a vehicle on July 14, 2004, prior the Bastille Day parade down the Champs Elysees in Paris.
MEHDI FEDOUACH/AFP/Getty Images French soldiers set up a drone on a vehicle on July 14, 2004, prior the Bastille Day parade down the Champs Elysees in Paris.
AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images A militiaman loyal to Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr displays a U.S. military drone on Aug. 22, 2004. The militia claimed to have shot down the drone the previous day. The Arabic writing on the wing of the drone reads: "Equipment of the American army."
AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images A militiaman loyal to Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr displays a U.S. military drone on Aug. 22, 2004. The militia claimed to have shot down the drone the previous day. The Arabic writing on the wing of the drone reads: "Equipment of the American army."
John B. Carnett/Popular Science via Getty Images Northrup Grumman's mock-up of the company's X-47B drone is shown with its bomb doors open and aircraft carrier tailhook deployed.
John B. Carnett/Popular Science via Getty Images Northrup Grumman's mock-up of the company's X-47B drone is shown with its bomb doors open and aircraft carrier tailhook deployed.
Veronique de Viguerie/Getty Images Pilots control U.S. Predator drones flying over Afghanistan from a base in Las Vegas on May 2, 2006.
Veronique de Viguerie/Getty Images Pilots control U.S. Predator drones flying over Afghanistan from a base in Las Vegas on May 2, 2006.
Gary Williams/Getty Images In 2006, U.S. Customs and Border Protection deployed new MQ-9 Predator B drones to patrol the southern border of the United Sates.
Gary Williams/Getty Images In 2006, U.S. Customs and Border Protection deployed new MQ-9 Predator B drones to patrol the southern border of the United Sates.
ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images A model of a drone fighter plane is displayed at the 6th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on October 31, 2006, in Zhuhai, China.
ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images A model of a drone fighter plane is displayed at the 6th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on October 31, 2006, in Zhuhai, China.
Handout/Getty Images In this handout photo released by the Hamas media office January 11, 2007, a member of the Al-Qassam brigade, the military wing of Hamas Movement, poses with an Israeli spy drone which Hamas says was captured in the Gaza strip.
Handout/Getty Images In this handout photo released by the Hamas media office January 11, 2007, a member of the Al-Qassam brigade, the military wing of Hamas Movement, poses with an Israeli spy drone which Hamas says was captured in the Gaza strip.
Getty Images In this photo provided by the Israeli Defense Forces, the IDF's first long-range drone, named the Heron, comes in for landing March 7, 2007 at Palmachim air base in central Israel.
Getty Images In this photo provided by the Israeli Defense Forces, the IDF's first long-range drone, named the Heron, comes in for landing March 7, 2007 at Palmachim air base in central Israel.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images A U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone takes off August 8, 2007 at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev. The Reaper was the Air Force's first "hunter-killer" unmanned aerial vehicle, designed to engage time-sensitive targets on the battlefield as well as provide intelligence and surveillance. The jet-fighter sized Reapers are 36 feet long with 66-foot wingspans and can fly up to 14 hours fully loaded with laser-guided bombs and air-to-ground missiles. They can fly twice as fast and high as the smaller MQ-1 Predators, reaching speeds of 300 mph at an altitude of up to 50,000 feet.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images A U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone takes off August 8, 2007 at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev. The Reaper was the Air Force's first "hunter-killer" unmanned aerial vehicle, designed to engage time-sensitive targets on the battlefield as well as provide intelligence and surveillance. The jet-fighter sized Reapers are 36 feet long with 66-foot wingspans and can fly up to 14 hours fully loaded with laser-guided bombs and air-to-ground missiles. They can fly twice as fast and high as the smaller MQ-1 Predators, reaching speeds of 300 mph at an altitude of up to 50,000 feet.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images Michael Martinez, airframe and power plant mechanic with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., inspects an MQ-9 Reaper next to the aircraft's targeting pod during a pre-flight check August 8, 2007 at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images Michael Martinez, airframe and power plant mechanic with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., inspects an MQ-9 Reaper next to the aircraft's targeting pod during a pre-flight check August 8, 2007 at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev.
FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images Photo taken on October 15, 2008 shows Elsa, the French National Police drone, during its presentation to European counterparts at a conference in Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or.
FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images Photo taken on October 15, 2008 shows Elsa, the French National Police drone, during its presentation to European counterparts at a conference in Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or.
JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images A French Sperwer SDTI drone lands after an observation mission on December 2008 in a French forward military base in the East of Afghanistan.
JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images A French Sperwer SDTI drone lands after an observation mission on December 2008 in a French forward military base in the East of Afghanistan.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images An attendee photographs an A.R. Drone helicopter by Parrot as it flies overhead during a press event for the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show January 6, 2010 in Las Vegas. The device is controlled wirelessly from an iPhone.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images An attendee photographs an A.R. Drone helicopter by Parrot as it flies overhead during a press event for the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show January 6, 2010 in Las Vegas. The device is controlled wirelessly from an iPhone.
STR/AFP/Getty Images Chinese police unveiled its "first unmanned opium reconnaissance plane" in Beijing on June 4, 2010.
STR/AFP/Getty Images Chinese police unveiled its "first unmanned opium reconnaissance plane" in Beijing on June 4, 2010.
ALEXANDER KLEIN/AFP/Getty Images A man demonstrates an IT 180 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with vertical take off and landing capability on June 13, 2010 in Paris.
ALEXANDER KLEIN/AFP/Getty Images A man demonstrates an IT 180 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with vertical take off and landing capability on June 13, 2010 in Paris.
PATRICK BAZ/AFP/Getty Images A U.S. Army soldier tries to launch a drone on September 4, 2010 in Afghanistan.
PATRICK BAZ/AFP/Getty Images A U.S. Army soldier tries to launch a drone on September 4, 2010 in Afghanistan.
TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images Japan Advanced Defense Technology Centre Engineer Fumiyuki Sato displays his spherical observation drone in Tokyo on July 22, 2011. The drone can fly down narrow alleys, hover on the spot, take off vertically and bounce along the ground.
TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images Japan Advanced Defense Technology Centre Engineer Fumiyuki Sato displays his spherical observation drone in Tokyo on July 22, 2011. The drone can fly down narrow alleys, hover on the spot, take off vertically and bounce along the ground.
ASGHAR ACHAKZAI/AFP/Getty Images Pakistani security personnel examine a crashed American surveillance drone in Chaman, Pakistan on August 25, 2011. The American surveillance drone crashed near a paramilitary base close to the Afghan border, Pakistani officials said.
ASGHAR ACHAKZAI/AFP/Getty Images Pakistani security personnel examine a crashed American surveillance drone in Chaman, Pakistan on August 25, 2011. The American surveillance drone crashed near a paramilitary base close to the Afghan border, Pakistani officials said.
AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images Supporters of the Pakistani politician Imran Khan and chief of Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) party, burn a replica drone as they shout slogans during protest rally in Islamabad on October 28, 2011 against the U.S. drone attacks in Pakistani tribal regions.
AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images Supporters of the Pakistani politician Imran Khan and chief of Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) party, burn a replica drone as they shout slogans during protest rally in Islamabad on October 28, 2011 against the U.S. drone attacks in Pakistani tribal regions.
ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images An Iranian boy holds a portrait of supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali khamenei as he walks past a replica of the captured U.S. RQ-170 drone on display next to the Azadi (Freedom) tower during the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Tehran on February 11, 2012.
ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images An Iranian boy holds a portrait of supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali khamenei as he walks past a replica of the captured U.S. RQ-170 drone on display next to the Azadi (Freedom) tower during the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Tehran on February 11, 2012.
ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images An Iranian couple hold a model of the captured US RQ-170 drone during the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Azadi (Freedom) square in Tehran on February 11, 2012.
ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images An Iranian couple hold a model of the captured US RQ-170 drone during the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Azadi (Freedom) square in Tehran on February 11, 2012.
PIERRE ANDRIEU/AFP/Getty Images A French firefighter holds a French Fly-n-Sense drone before its take off on July 12, 2012 on a test flight. The drone is designed to enable a real-time monitoring of forest fires.
PIERRE ANDRIEU/AFP/Getty Images A French firefighter holds a French Fly-n-Sense drone before its take off on July 12, 2012 on a test flight. The drone is designed to enable a real-time monitoring of forest fires.
ALEXEY GROMOV/AFP/Getty Images Two engineers of the Aircraft Repair Plant assemble a "Filin" (Eagle-owl) drone on August 9, 2012 in Minsk, Belarus.
ALEXEY GROMOV/AFP/Getty Images Two engineers of the Aircraft Repair Plant assemble a "Filin" (Eagle-owl) drone on August 9, 2012 in Minsk, Belarus.
Ulrich Baumgarten/U. Baumgarten via Getty Images Germany's Rheinmetall displays a Tactical Reconnaissance drone at the ILA Berlin Air Show on September 11, 2012 in Schoenefeld near Berlin, Germany.
Ulrich Baumgarten/U. Baumgarten via Getty Images Germany's Rheinmetall displays a Tactical Reconnaissance drone at the ILA Berlin Air Show on September 11, 2012 in Schoenefeld near Berlin, Germany.
PIERRE ANDRIEU/AFP/Getty Images An employee of ENAC company handles Blender drones on September 26, 2012 in Merignac near Bordeaux, France, during the "UAV Show Europe."
PIERRE ANDRIEU/AFP/Getty Images An employee of ENAC company handles Blender drones on September 26, 2012 in Merignac near Bordeaux, France, during the "UAV Show Europe."
BORIS HORVAT/AFP/Getty Images The nEUROn, an experimental Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle developed under a European consortium led by French defence group Dassault is put on show at the Dassault factory in Istres on December 19, 2012. The drone is expected to remain in testing for several years before a combat version is released sometime in 2015.
BORIS HORVAT/AFP/Getty Images The nEUROn, an experimental Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle developed under a European consortium led by French defence group Dassault is put on show at the Dassault factory in Istres on December 19, 2012. The drone is expected to remain in testing for several years before a combat version is released sometime in 2015.
Источник:
From missile targets to missile launchers
AUBREY COHEN
March 28, 2013
Getty ImagesOpponents of the U.S. program to target suspected Islamic militants with unmanned drones have announced a month-long series of protests planned for April.Meanwhile, a new National Center for Policy Analysis study calls for exploring the civilian, commercial and scientific applications of drones, while taking into account privacy concerns.These two stories illustrate how big a deal drones have become over the past decade or so. But unmanned aerial vehicles have been around a lot longer than that. Click on for a look at drones going back to World War II.
Getty ImagesOpponents of the U.S. program to target suspected Islamic militants with unmanned drones have announced a month-long series of protests planned for April.
Meanwhile, a new National Center for Policy Analysis study calls for exploring the civilian, commercial and scientific applications of drones, while taking into account privacy concerns.
These two stories illustrate how big a deal drones have become over the past decade or so. But unmanned aerial vehicles have been around a lot longer than that. Click on for a look at drones going back to World War II.
PhotoQuest/Getty ImagesView of an experimental, radar pilotless aircraft, or drone, nestled under the wing of a PN4Y2 naval aircraft in 1945.
PhotoQuest/Getty ImagesView of an experimental, radar pilotless aircraft, or drone, nestled under the wing of a PN4Y2 naval aircraft in 1945.
US Navy/Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImageWhile today's drones launch missiles at suspected militants, early versions were more often targets in missile tests. Here, a redeye missile closes in on a radio-controlled drone in 1966.
US Navy/Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImageWhile today's drones launch missiles at suspected militants, early versions were more often targets in missile tests. Here, a redeye missile closes in on a radio-controlled drone in 1966.
David Rubinger/Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImageIsrael Aircraft Industries workers assemble a drone in 1989.
David Rubinger/Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImageIsrael Aircraft Industries workers assemble a drone in 1989.
Carla Thomas/Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImageLockheed Martin built the DarkStar High Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to provide battlefield commanders and intelligence agencies with reconnaissance data.
Carla Thomas/Time & Life Pictures/Getty ImageLockheed Martin built the DarkStar High Altitude Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to provide battlefield commanders and intelligence agencies with reconnaissance data.
Mark H. Milstein/Getty Images Russian army soldiers prepare a pilotless drone aircraft at a secret base near the Chechen capital Grozny in 1999. The Russians used drones to search for Chechen rebel positions.
Mark H. Milstein/Getty Images Russian army soldiers prepare a pilotless drone aircraft at a secret base near the Chechen capital Grozny in 1999. The Russians used drones to search for Chechen rebel positions.
Mai/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image Northrop Gumman's 44-foot-long Global Hawk first flew in 1998. In 2008, Global Hawk set the endurance record for a full-scale, operational unmanned aircraft, flying for 33.1 hours at altitudes up to 60,000 feet over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Mai/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image Northrop Gumman's 44-foot-long Global Hawk first flew in 1998. In 2008, Global Hawk set the endurance record for a full-scale, operational unmanned aircraft, flying for 33.1 hours at altitudes up to 60,000 feet over Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Bill Greenblatt/Getty Images Onlookers move in for a closer look at Boeing's new Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle on September 27, 2000 during an unveiling ceremony at the Boeing Company plant in St. Louis, Mo.
Bill Greenblatt/Getty Images Onlookers move in for a closer look at Boeing's new Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle on September 27, 2000 during an unveiling ceremony at the Boeing Company plant in St. Louis, Mo.
FRANCOIS MORI/AFP/Getty Images An Israeli flag flutters next to an Harpy IAI-MBT Attack Drone as part of the Israeli display during the 44th Paris Air Show on June 21, 2001.
FRANCOIS MORI/AFP/Getty Images An Israeli flag flutters next to an Harpy IAI-MBT Attack Drone as part of the Israeli display during the 44th Paris Air Show on June 21, 2001.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images U.S. Marines watch a demonstration of the Dragon Eye drone on February 16, 2003, in Kuwait. The drone can fly over enemy lines for one hour, sending back infrared real time images.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images U.S. Marines watch a demonstration of the Dragon Eye drone on February 16, 2003, in Kuwait. The drone can fly over enemy lines for one hour, sending back infrared real time images.
Scott Peterson/Getty Images Iraqi officials show off their 7.45-meter-wingspan Remotely Piloted Vehicle 30A, or the "Jerusalem 10," to members of the news media on March 12, 2003 in Baghdad. Iraq declared the drone in a January 15, 2003 report, but with a 4.4-meter wingspan, an error that Iraqis say was a "typing mistake." Though the drone looked like a science project, with tin foil and duct tape holding it together, U.S. officials building a case for war called it a "smoking gun."
Scott Peterson/Getty Images Iraqi officials show off their 7.45-meter-wingspan Remotely Piloted Vehicle 30A, or the "Jerusalem 10," to members of the news media on March 12, 2003 in Baghdad. Iraq declared the drone in a January 15, 2003 report, but with a 4.4-meter wingspan, an error that Iraqis say was a "typing mistake." Though the drone looked like a science project, with tin foil and duct tape holding it together, U.S. officials building a case for war called it a "smoking gun."
ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images In September 2003, a U.S. Army Hunter drone killed two suspected roadside bombers in northern Iraq by dropping a bomb on them, "a first in army aviation history," according to the Army.
ROMEO GACAD/AFP/Getty Images In September 2003, a U.S. Army Hunter drone killed two suspected roadside bombers in northern Iraq by dropping a bomb on them, "a first in army aviation history," according to the Army.
FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/Getty Images The Eagle, a drone made by European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) is shown at the Paris Air Show on June 17. 2003.
FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/Getty Images The Eagle, a drone made by European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) is shown at the Paris Air Show on June 17. 2003.
U.S. Air Force/Getty Images In this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, airmen with the 64th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron move an RQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at Tallil Air Base in Iraq.
U.S. Air Force/Getty Images In this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Air Force, airmen with the 64th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron move an RQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle at Tallil Air Base in Iraq.
AFP/AFP/Getty Images German soldiers stand next to a drone prior to its launch north of Kabul, Afghanistan on Oct. 14, 2003.
AFP/AFP/Getty Images German soldiers stand next to a drone prior to its launch north of Kabul, Afghanistan on Oct. 14, 2003.
Getty Images This prototype remote control helicopter being developed for use by the Israeli military was stolen on November 9, 2003, an act described as "industrial espionage."
Getty Images This prototype remote control helicopter being developed for use by the Israeli military was stolen on November 9, 2003, an act described as "industrial espionage."
Getty Images This undated handout from Elbit Systems Ltd. shows a Hermes 450 unmanned airborn vehicle in flight.
Getty Images This undated handout from Elbit Systems Ltd. shows a Hermes 450 unmanned airborn vehicle in flight.
MEHDI FEDOUACH/AFP/Getty Images French soldiers set up a drone on a vehicle on July 14, 2004, prior the Bastille Day parade down the Champs Elysees in Paris.
MEHDI FEDOUACH/AFP/Getty Images French soldiers set up a drone on a vehicle on July 14, 2004, prior the Bastille Day parade down the Champs Elysees in Paris.
AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images A militiaman loyal to Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr displays a U.S. military drone on Aug. 22, 2004. The militia claimed to have shot down the drone the previous day. The Arabic writing on the wing of the drone reads: "Equipment of the American army."
AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP/Getty Images A militiaman loyal to Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr displays a U.S. military drone on Aug. 22, 2004. The militia claimed to have shot down the drone the previous day. The Arabic writing on the wing of the drone reads: "Equipment of the American army."
John B. Carnett/Popular Science via Getty Images Northrup Grumman's mock-up of the company's X-47B drone is shown with its bomb doors open and aircraft carrier tailhook deployed.
John B. Carnett/Popular Science via Getty Images Northrup Grumman's mock-up of the company's X-47B drone is shown with its bomb doors open and aircraft carrier tailhook deployed.
Veronique de Viguerie/Getty Images Pilots control U.S. Predator drones flying over Afghanistan from a base in Las Vegas on May 2, 2006.
Veronique de Viguerie/Getty Images Pilots control U.S. Predator drones flying over Afghanistan from a base in Las Vegas on May 2, 2006.
Gary Williams/Getty Images In 2006, U.S. Customs and Border Protection deployed new MQ-9 Predator B drones to patrol the southern border of the United Sates.
Gary Williams/Getty Images In 2006, U.S. Customs and Border Protection deployed new MQ-9 Predator B drones to patrol the southern border of the United Sates.
ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images A model of a drone fighter plane is displayed at the 6th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on October 31, 2006, in Zhuhai, China.
ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images A model of a drone fighter plane is displayed at the 6th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition on October 31, 2006, in Zhuhai, China.
Handout/Getty Images In this handout photo released by the Hamas media office January 11, 2007, a member of the Al-Qassam brigade, the military wing of Hamas Movement, poses with an Israeli spy drone which Hamas says was captured in the Gaza strip.
Handout/Getty Images In this handout photo released by the Hamas media office January 11, 2007, a member of the Al-Qassam brigade, the military wing of Hamas Movement, poses with an Israeli spy drone which Hamas says was captured in the Gaza strip.
Getty Images In this photo provided by the Israeli Defense Forces, the IDF's first long-range drone, named the Heron, comes in for landing March 7, 2007 at Palmachim air base in central Israel.
Getty Images In this photo provided by the Israeli Defense Forces, the IDF's first long-range drone, named the Heron, comes in for landing March 7, 2007 at Palmachim air base in central Israel.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images A U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone takes off August 8, 2007 at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev. The Reaper was the Air Force's first "hunter-killer" unmanned aerial vehicle, designed to engage time-sensitive targets on the battlefield as well as provide intelligence and surveillance. The jet-fighter sized Reapers are 36 feet long with 66-foot wingspans and can fly up to 14 hours fully loaded with laser-guided bombs and air-to-ground missiles. They can fly twice as fast and high as the smaller MQ-1 Predators, reaching speeds of 300 mph at an altitude of up to 50,000 feet.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images A U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone takes off August 8, 2007 at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev. The Reaper was the Air Force's first "hunter-killer" unmanned aerial vehicle, designed to engage time-sensitive targets on the battlefield as well as provide intelligence and surveillance. The jet-fighter sized Reapers are 36 feet long with 66-foot wingspans and can fly up to 14 hours fully loaded with laser-guided bombs and air-to-ground missiles. They can fly twice as fast and high as the smaller MQ-1 Predators, reaching speeds of 300 mph at an altitude of up to 50,000 feet.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images Michael Martinez, airframe and power plant mechanic with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., inspects an MQ-9 Reaper next to the aircraft's targeting pod during a pre-flight check August 8, 2007 at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images Michael Martinez, airframe and power plant mechanic with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., inspects an MQ-9 Reaper next to the aircraft's targeting pod during a pre-flight check August 8, 2007 at Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev.
FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images Photo taken on October 15, 2008 shows Elsa, the French National Police drone, during its presentation to European counterparts at a conference in Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or.
FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images Photo taken on October 15, 2008 shows Elsa, the French National Police drone, during its presentation to European counterparts at a conference in Saint-Cyr-au-Mont-d'Or.
JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images A French Sperwer SDTI drone lands after an observation mission on December 2008 in a French forward military base in the East of Afghanistan.
JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images A French Sperwer SDTI drone lands after an observation mission on December 2008 in a French forward military base in the East of Afghanistan.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images An attendee photographs an A.R. Drone helicopter by Parrot as it flies overhead during a press event for the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show January 6, 2010 in Las Vegas. The device is controlled wirelessly from an iPhone.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images An attendee photographs an A.R. Drone helicopter by Parrot as it flies overhead during a press event for the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show January 6, 2010 in Las Vegas. The device is controlled wirelessly from an iPhone.
STR/AFP/Getty Images Chinese police unveiled its "first unmanned opium reconnaissance plane" in Beijing on June 4, 2010.
STR/AFP/Getty Images Chinese police unveiled its "first unmanned opium reconnaissance plane" in Beijing on June 4, 2010.
ALEXANDER KLEIN/AFP/Getty Images A man demonstrates an IT 180 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with vertical take off and landing capability on June 13, 2010 in Paris.
ALEXANDER KLEIN/AFP/Getty Images A man demonstrates an IT 180 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle with vertical take off and landing capability on June 13, 2010 in Paris.
PATRICK BAZ/AFP/Getty Images A U.S. Army soldier tries to launch a drone on September 4, 2010 in Afghanistan.
PATRICK BAZ/AFP/Getty Images A U.S. Army soldier tries to launch a drone on September 4, 2010 in Afghanistan.
TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images Japan Advanced Defense Technology Centre Engineer Fumiyuki Sato displays his spherical observation drone in Tokyo on July 22, 2011. The drone can fly down narrow alleys, hover on the spot, take off vertically and bounce along the ground.
TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA/AFP/Getty Images Japan Advanced Defense Technology Centre Engineer Fumiyuki Sato displays his spherical observation drone in Tokyo on July 22, 2011. The drone can fly down narrow alleys, hover on the spot, take off vertically and bounce along the ground.
ASGHAR ACHAKZAI/AFP/Getty Images Pakistani security personnel examine a crashed American surveillance drone in Chaman, Pakistan on August 25, 2011. The American surveillance drone crashed near a paramilitary base close to the Afghan border, Pakistani officials said.
ASGHAR ACHAKZAI/AFP/Getty Images Pakistani security personnel examine a crashed American surveillance drone in Chaman, Pakistan on August 25, 2011. The American surveillance drone crashed near a paramilitary base close to the Afghan border, Pakistani officials said.
AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images Supporters of the Pakistani politician Imran Khan and chief of Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) party, burn a replica drone as they shout slogans during protest rally in Islamabad on October 28, 2011 against the U.S. drone attacks in Pakistani tribal regions.
AAMIR QURESHI/AFP/Getty Images Supporters of the Pakistani politician Imran Khan and chief of Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) party, burn a replica drone as they shout slogans during protest rally in Islamabad on October 28, 2011 against the U.S. drone attacks in Pakistani tribal regions.
ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images An Iranian boy holds a portrait of supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali khamenei as he walks past a replica of the captured U.S. RQ-170 drone on display next to the Azadi (Freedom) tower during the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Tehran on February 11, 2012.
ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images An Iranian boy holds a portrait of supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali khamenei as he walks past a replica of the captured U.S. RQ-170 drone on display next to the Azadi (Freedom) tower during the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Tehran on February 11, 2012.
ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images An Iranian couple hold a model of the captured US RQ-170 drone during the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Azadi (Freedom) square in Tehran on February 11, 2012.
ATTA KENARE/AFP/Getty Images An Iranian couple hold a model of the captured US RQ-170 drone during the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution in Azadi (Freedom) square in Tehran on February 11, 2012.
PIERRE ANDRIEU/AFP/Getty Images A French firefighter holds a French Fly-n-Sense drone before its take off on July 12, 2012 on a test flight. The drone is designed to enable a real-time monitoring of forest fires.
PIERRE ANDRIEU/AFP/Getty Images A French firefighter holds a French Fly-n-Sense drone before its take off on July 12, 2012 on a test flight. The drone is designed to enable a real-time monitoring of forest fires.
ALEXEY GROMOV/AFP/Getty Images Two engineers of the Aircraft Repair Plant assemble a "Filin" (Eagle-owl) drone on August 9, 2012 in Minsk, Belarus.
ALEXEY GROMOV/AFP/Getty Images Two engineers of the Aircraft Repair Plant assemble a "Filin" (Eagle-owl) drone on August 9, 2012 in Minsk, Belarus.
Ulrich Baumgarten/U. Baumgarten via Getty Images Germany's Rheinmetall displays a Tactical Reconnaissance drone at the ILA Berlin Air Show on September 11, 2012 in Schoenefeld near Berlin, Germany.
Ulrich Baumgarten/U. Baumgarten via Getty Images Germany's Rheinmetall displays a Tactical Reconnaissance drone at the ILA Berlin Air Show on September 11, 2012 in Schoenefeld near Berlin, Germany.
PIERRE ANDRIEU/AFP/Getty Images An employee of ENAC company handles Blender drones on September 26, 2012 in Merignac near Bordeaux, France, during the "UAV Show Europe."
PIERRE ANDRIEU/AFP/Getty Images An employee of ENAC company handles Blender drones on September 26, 2012 in Merignac near Bordeaux, France, during the "UAV Show Europe."
BORIS HORVAT/AFP/Getty Images The nEUROn, an experimental Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle developed under a European consortium led by French defence group Dassault is put on show at the Dassault factory in Istres on December 19, 2012. The drone is expected to remain in testing for several years before a combat version is released sometime in 2015.
BORIS HORVAT/AFP/Getty Images The nEUROn, an experimental Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle developed under a European consortium led by French defence group Dassault is put on show at the Dassault factory in Istres on December 19, 2012. The drone is expected to remain in testing for several years before a combat version is released sometime in 2015.