Military
ATTACK
on AMERICA
Weapons of War: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are used to gather intelligence on enemy forces. They carry a wide variety of sensors and can transmit real-time or live data to commanders, fulfilling missions too dangerous for manned aircraft. Here are some of the more common UAVs in use.
Black Widow
Hunter
Predator
Global Hawk
Primary role
Short-distance micro-air vehicle that transmits images via radio frequency to ground control unit. Provides near real-time imagery of ground forces in both day and night. Intended to operate with additional Hunter UAVs. High-resolution video, infrared and radar imagery in real-time via satellite. Laser can provide targeting for laser-guided bombs. High altitude, long-range, fully automatic vehicle provides high-resolution imagery in real-time via satellite
Entered service
In testing 1995 1994 1997
Length
6 inches 23 feet 26 feet 8 inches 44 feet 5 inches
Wingspan
6 inches 29 feet 48 feet 5 inches 116 feet 2 inches
Speed
43 mph 122 mph 138 mph 397 mph
Max. altitude
769 feet 15,000 feet 26,000 feet 67,300 feet
Max. range
Less than 1 nautical mile 144 nautical miles 500 nautical miles 3,000 nautical miles
Endurance
30 minutes 12 hours 29 hours 42 hours
SOURCES: Associated Press, Periscope; NASA; American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics


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