An unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), also known as a combat drone, fighter drone or battlefield UAV, is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is used for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance and carries aircraft ordnance such as missiles, anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs), and/or bombs in hardpoints for drone ...

The first use of armed UAVs was in 2001, in which an MQ-1 Predator was used to carry anti-tank missiles into Afghanistan, controlled by the Central Intelligence Agency. [2] Until 2006, flight hours by UAVs were not logged, though the DoD now states …

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) classifies unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into "Groups" according to their size and capability, a joint system that replaced the service branches' separate categorization schemes in 2011.

Apr 7, 2025 · Whether it’s the battle-hardened MQ-9 Reaper, the cost-effective and deadly Bayraktar TB2, or the emerging platforms from China and Russia, the best military drones are reshaping the future of aerial warfare. Let’s dive into the cutting-edge technology behind the most dominant UCAVs in service today. The top 5 best military drones in 2025

Apr 7, 2014 · RAND researchers examined whether armed drones are transformative weapons, how dangerous their proliferation will be, and whether U.S. use of these weapons can shape a broader set of international norms that discourage their misuse by others.

Feb 4, 2022 · The MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle or UAV became the iconic weapon of that period of counter-insurgency warfare waged by the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere.

Apr 1, 2025 · The first operational use of armed UAVs involved Predators carrying antitank missiles and operated by the Central Intelligence Agency during the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. However, Predators are operated mainly by the U.S. Air Force, often to locate and mark targets for heavily armed fighter-bombers or gunships.

Jun 28, 2024 · Military drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are aircraft operated without a human pilot onboard. These innovative machines have become integral to modern warfare, providing advanced capabilities in …

Mar 17, 2025 · The service plans to acquire at least 1,000 fighter drones in consecutive batches to assist its current fleet of F-35 fighters in air-to-air combat. ... the only real duel between a Stinger-armed ...