UAVs

[EconomyClass]

Just saw a news article on UAVs in domestic airspace. Are such robot planes approved to fly anywhere in US airspace? Anyone know what sort of uses they would have. Would DEA be using them? Local cops? Businesses?

And while I'm raising questions, are the motors in these planes electric? Is anything done to make them stealthy? Cops use helicopters, but those are some of the noisiest craft in the air. No way they can sneak up on anything.

[SYDCBRWOD]

Just saw a news article on UAVs in domestic airspace. Are such robot planes approved to fly anywhere in US airspace? Anyone know what sort of uses they would have. Would DEA be using them? Local cops? Businesses?

And while I'm raising questions, are the motors in these planes electric? Is anything done to make them stealthy? Cops use helicopters, but those are some of the noisiest craft in the air. No way they can sneak up on anything.

UAV's range in size from something that would comfortably sit in the palm of your hand weighing a few grams to something with a wingspan of 116 feet weighing 10 tonnes plus at takeoff.

Propulsion is usually electric in the smaller vehicles, through petrol engines, heavy fuel engines turpoprop and finally turbofans. There are plans for solar powered electric flying wings which will be able to remain aloft for weeks at a time to act as radio/satelite relay stations etc.

here's a start to your reading list: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...erial_vehicles

There are quite a few studies into 6th gen combat aircraft that will be "optionally manned" - the USN is starting trials of the X47B with a view to operating it off carriers in 2012.