Unmanned Aircraft and its uses in Civilian Applications

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Technology is rapidly advancing providing humans with easier and more efficient ways of completing tasks. One form of technology that is primarily being used by the military is an unmanned aircraft (UAV). UAV technology can play an important role in benefiting the civilian world. This technology will make many tasks currently performed by humans more capable and extensive.

What is an Unmanned Aircraft (UAV)?

An unmanned aircraft is a plane that is flown without the use of a crew or pilot. Instead, the unmanned aircraft is piloted by hardware, software, and a person or people from the ground. The technical definition of “an 'unmanned aerial vehicle' is a powered aircraft that does not carry a human operator, uses aerodynamic forces to provide lift, can fly autonomously (by an onboard computer) and/or be piloted remotely (by radio control), and can be recovered for repeated flights. It is an aerial robot. Airships, aerostats, balloons, ballistic and semiballistic missiles, cruise missiles, artillery projectiles, tethered/wire guided aircraft/missiles, and other one-flight, expendable objects are not considered unmanned aircraft” (Lewis). An unmanned aircraft (UA) is also known as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), unmanned aircraft system (UAS), drone, remotely piloted vehicle (RPV), remotely operated aircraft (ROA), or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA).

History of UAVs

The technology used for unmanned aircraft dates back to 1863 during the Civil War. This technology, invented by Charles Perley, was an unmanned aerial bomber. Specifically, the bomber was a hot-air balloon that could drop explosives. Perley’s invention proved to be imprecise and hazardous but both the Union and Confederate forces are said to have launched them (K...

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