In 1917, the first military pilot-less aircraft, the Ruston Proctor Aerial Targe, was launched as a means of flying bombs into enemy spaces.  Though it was mostly unsuccessful, it paved the way for the military drones we have today.  In a post 9/11 world the use of drones for military operations have become one of the largest sectors of the drone industry.  With the CIA confirming it’s first drone based kill mission in 2002 using the famed Predator drone.  For the year 2019, the US Department of Defense has budgeted more than $9 billion for drone technology and support.

While the Predator may be one of the best known US military drones, another model has been brought to attention due to recent events.  This month, as tensions rise between the US and Iran, a US drone was shot down from the sky.  Iran’s Revolutionary Guard confirmed that they shot down the RQ-4 Global Hawk drone as it was invading Iranian air space, while the US maintains that the drone was operating within international air space.  The Guard’s Gen. Hossein Salami stated on live TV that Iran does “not have any intention for war with any country, but we are ready for war.”

Regardless of the location of the drone and the implications of it’s downing, the RQ-4 is not a combat drone.  It was designed by Ryan Aeronautical, now a part of Northrop Grumman, as an unmanned surveillance aircraft.  It has been in use by the US Air Force since 2001 collecting intelligence to support military operations.  With a wingspan of 131′, the bi-wing drone resembles a small airplane with a bulbous head.  The RQ-4 can reach speeds of 391mph with a 14,155 mile range.  Each UAV costs about $222.7 million to produce and operate.

The RQ-4 collects data using the Hughes Integrated Surveillance & Reconnaissance (HISAR) radar system along with a SAR-MTI sensor.  It also uses an optical and a thermography imagery program.  This allows the military to safely gather intelligence in real time, with extreme precision.  The RQ-4 helps to keep both US and allied soldiers safe.  It can be used to protect friendly bases, as well as collecting data on enemy operations.

While the US Air Force may be down one very expensive drone now, it has plenty more.  They utilize drones for all sectors of military operations.  Fromsurveillance drones like the RQ-4 Global Hawk, to the combat ready Predator, to cargo and search and rescue drones.  The US military has thousands of drones currently in use.