current developments in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
trace their beginnings to World War I. Efforts during the
Interwar Period, World War II, and afterward ultimately led to
the development of cruise missiles such as Harpoon and Tomahawk, aerial targets,
and the current family of UAVs. UAVs have the ability to transmit to the battlefield
commander real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information from
hostile areas. They can also act as communication relays, designate targets for neutralization
by other assets, or attack the targets themselves with onboard munitions
and then loiter while streaming real-time battle damage information back to friendly
forces—all without risking the lives of an aircrew. This article provides a historical
survey on the early development of select UAVs in the U.S. military and their military
applications. The development of cruise missiles and UAVs is intertwined. As the
reader will see, many of the technologies experimented with in cruise missiles made
their way to UAVs, and vice versa. Although making mention occasionally of cruise missiles,
this article will attempt to focus on selected UAV development and employment
through the Persian Gulf War