Acronyms
The meaning of the acronym UAV.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
The first UAV hot-air balloon camera and aerial photograph happened in this year.
1858
One of the earliest UAVs, this drone was developed in the US during World War 1 for the use of delivering explosives to enemy targets.
Kettering Bug
The meaning of the acronym FTUAS.
Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System
During this year, the U.S. Army aircraft board tasked Kettering with designing a weapon. He created the “Kettering Aerial Torpedo", which in turn sparked inspiration for a famous drone.
1917
A small, portable, and hand-launched UAS made for rapid deployment and high mobility. This drone is used mostly for military operations like surveillance, low altitude reconnaissance, and autonomous operation.
RQ-11 Raven
The meaning of the acronym GMTI.
Ground Moving Target Indicator
The MQ-9 Reaper is slated to be replaced with the MQ-20 Avenger, which is currently still in development.
2030
This drone was originally created with the intention of being a target drone for training anti-aircraft gunners during World War II.
Radioplane OQ-2
The meaning of the acronym LOS.
Line Of Sight
During this year, a New York Air National Guard Attack Wing became the first fighter unit to transition to entirely unmanned combat.
2008
A drone fitted with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles- It was then capable of conducting precision strikes. It played a large role in targeted strikes in conflict zones during the Global War on Terror.
MQ-1 Predator
The meaning of the acronym VTOL.
Vertical TakeOff and Landing
The development of the RQ-1 Predator, by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, happened during this decade.
1990s
A small and difficult-to-shoot-down UAV based on Israel's Scout Drone. This drone could share real-time videos from a camera in its central turret and had much of the same foundational technology as the scout drone, but also harbored great advancements and enhancements that made it more capable and versatile.
RQ-2 Pioneer