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The Austrian Balloons
The earloiest un-armed aerial vehicle ever recorded was 'The Austrian Balloon' in 1842. The Austrian Balloons were essentially Balloons loaded with explosives to attack ground targets. The Austrians deployed these airships to attack Venice, Italy. -
Ruston Proctor Aerial Target
The first pilotless aircraft was known as 'The Ruston Proctor Aerial Target'. It was built after WW1 and if consturcted faster it would have been used agasint the mighty war balloons known as 'The Zepplin'. -
RAE Larynx
The "Royal Aircraft Establishment Larynx" was an early pilotless air vehicle which was used as an anti-ship weapon. The RAE Larynx was equipped whith an early cruise missile guided by an autopilot. -
Aerial Torpedoes
The US Navy began to experiment with RC (remote controlled) aerial aircrafts in the 1930's. It resulted in being known as the Curtiss "N2C-2". the N2C-2 was remotely controlled from another aircraft know as the TG-2 -
RP-1/2/3/4/5
In 1935 the Radioplane company demonstrated the RP-1, to the US Army. The RP-1 was powered by a 6 hp 2 cylinder 2 cycle motor. The Army designated them the OQ-1. In 1938, the RP-2 was tested, and in 1939 the RP-3 and RP-4 were demonstrated. -
Culver PQ-8/PQ-14
In 1940, the US Army Air Corps selected the Culver Cadet for a full size target drone. Initially designated the A-8, it was later designated the XPQ-8 or PQ-8. The design was originally designed as a civilian sport plane. It was a two seat, monoplane, with a fixed tricycle landing gear. -
Lockheed U-2
The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed "Dragon Lady", is a single-engine, ultra-high altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force. The Lockheed U-2 is essentially a UAV used to spy on important targets. -
Reconnaissance Drones
The "Reconnaissance Drones" also know as the "UAV" was the only spy plane available to the U.S in 1959. The spy plane was essentially used for penetrating deep into enemy territory and returning with precise millitary intelligence. -
The Union Army Balloon Corps
The Union Army Balloon Corps was a Union Army during 'The American War'.These Balloons were created by civilains that manufactured gas filled Balloons. -
Pulsejet-Powered Target
McDonnell built a pulsejet-powered target, the T2D2-1 Katydid, later the KDD-1 and then KDH-1. It was an air-launched cigar-shaped machine with a straight mid-mounted wing, and a vee tail straddling the pulsejet engine. The Katydid was developed in mid-war and a small number were put into service with the US Navy.
