Originally Posted by fltlt
Boatman, try 26 years, not 10. And the capabilties are not that much greater. Only true differences are the sat link and full time GPS, oh and the cost, now that is different!
We've been making (and flying them) far longer than that.
Remotely-piloted UCAV: DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter) - USN, first flight 1959, in service 1963, removed from service 1969 (USN) & 1977 (JMSDF).
UAV reconnaissance aircraft (autonomous): Ryan Model 147 Lightning Bug - Three test flights were performed in April 1962 and demonstrated the validity of the concept, with the drone performing a mission from New Mexico, north into Utah, and then back again with no guidance from the ground, a distance of over 100 miles.
A total of 3,435 Lightning Bug missions were flown against Communist China, North Vietnam, and North Korea, with the mission breakdown by year as follows:
- 1964: 20
- 1965: 77
- 1966: 105
- 1967: >100
- 1968: 340
- 1969: 437
- 1970: >400
- 1971: 406
- 1972: 570
- 1973: 444
- 1974: 518 (includes flights in first half of 1975)