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Austrian Balloon
Austrian balloons were the first unmanned aircraft. The balloons were launched from a ship and they floated to their targets loaded with explosives. The only problem with the balloons was that if they caught the wrong wind they would float away and miss their target.APA Citation: History of unmanned aerial vehicles. (2012, September 30). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_unmanned_aerial_vehicles -
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Automatic Airplane
This unmanned aerial vehicle was developed during World War 1, September 12, 1916. It was designed to be more like an aerial torpedo or as they called it a “flying bomb”. The automatic airplane used gyroscopes to maintain its course, which was an improvement compared to the balloon, which could be easily thrown off course by a light wind.
APA Citation: History of unmanned aerial vehicles. (2012, September 30). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_ -
N2C-2 Drone
Scene Description: This UAV was controlled by another plane, called a TG-2, where it was launched. In 1939, the USAAF (US Army Air Forces) adopted the idea of the use of the N2C-2 drone. The drone could easily be controlled from the other aircraft, TG-2, and made sure that it hit its target.
APA Citation: History of unmanned aerial vehicles. (2012, September 30). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_unmanned_aerial_vehicles -
MQM-57 Falconer
This unmanned aerial vehicle was mainly used for reconnaissance. It was launched from a plane by a single rocket. The drone had still picture cameras to gain intelligence on the enemy.
APA Citation: Parsch, A. (n.d.). Northrop (Radioplane) SD-1/MQM-57 Falconer. Northrop MQM-57 Falconer. Retrieved October 9, 2012, from http://www.designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-57.html -
Ryan 147B
The Ryan 147B, Lightning Bug, was fully operational in July of 1963. This UAV was designed to find SAM units that could emit a signal that led back to a ground command link. The Ryan 147B was designed pick up the signal and relay it back to a electronics warfare aircraft. This UAV is an improvement because of it could find SAM Units easier. APA Citation: Ryan Model 147, (2012, September 30) Wikipedia. Retrieved October 6, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Model_147 -
Predator RQ-1
The Predator RQ-1 is most up to date version of the UAV. It can be used for reconnaissance and/or attacks. The RQ-1 reached full operation in April of 1996. With it’s faster speeds and ability to function with multiple roles the Predator RQ-1 is the most innovative version of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
APA Citation: MQ-1B Predator. (2012, January 5). The Official Website of the Air Force. Retrieved October 6, 2012, from http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=122
