(
Unmanned
Aerial
Vehicle) A remote controlled or autonomously controlled airplane. There is no human pilot on board but there may be human passengers in a new class of transportation (see
eVTOL).
Mostly known as a "drone," a UAV is also called an "unmanned aircraft system" (UAS) and "remotely piloted vehicle" (RPV). Used for surveillance and transport in both military and non-military applications, UAVs date back to the early 1900s. UAVs also provided meaningful assistance on the battlefield in World War II.
In the 21st century, tiny "quadcopter" drones have become widely used for aerial photography and just plain fun. They have become so popular that government regulations and licensing are required to prevent collisions. See
smart weapon,
quadcopter,
personal drone,
insect drone,
selfie drone,
gremlin drone,
first-person view and
electronic warfare.
Military and Industrial UAVs
In the summer of 2005, there was a day-long demonstration of military and industrial UAVs at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River in St. Inigoes, Maryland. The picture was taken by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Daniel J. McLain.