When we hear the term UAV we immediately think of drone aircraft used for military purposes. While it is true that the governments of many countries have a UAV program that utilizes remote piloted aircraft for many different purposes;a UAV has many other uses as well.
According to PBS, first UAVs were used years before the Wright brothers made their first flight at Kittyhawk in 1903. In fact, forty years prior to the first manned airplane flight hot air balloons were used during the American Civil War to drop explosives on enemy positions.
The Perley Aerial Bomber was a hot air balloon which carried a basket full of explosives. Inside the basket was a timer that triggered a hinged bottom, dropping the explosives. While this type of UAV was far less accurate than modern drones, like the Predator, it did enable the military to inflict damage on enemy troops without endangering their own lives.
In the late 1930's UAVs were used as combat training tools, allowing military pilots to chase and shoot down aircraft without risking the life of another pilot. Then in World War II the V-1, introduced by the Nazis, confronted the world with just how dangerous a UAV could be. The V-1 inflicted heavy damage and casualties on Allied forces and this is when America became serious about developing their own UAV program.
Modern US troops have access to drones, like the Predator, which utilize laser targeting systems and high definition cameras to direct their payload to the intended target. These planes are extremely fast, fairly quiet, and have deadly accuracy when used as a weapon. The US Border Patrol also uses the Predator to scan the border with Mexico for illegal immigrants, enabling one man to pilot the drone and save hundreds of man hours that would be needed to check the area from the ground.
However, UAVs have the potential to be used in many other capabilities as well. CNN reported in 2013 that Amazon, the giant online retailer, would soon begin testing drone deliveries for their groceries and other items sold in certain cities. Toy makers around the world are now designing remote controlled quad-copters and other flying devices equipped with cameras to be used for entertainment purposes.
What is your experience with UAVs? Have you ever worked around them, or owned one of the toy models? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!
