December 6, 2002

The Afghanistan campaign clearly demonstrated that Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were very useful and many more of them are needed. Even more important, they should be armed to take advantage of targets of opportunity. Many generals in the air force has long resisted UAVs, but now the pro-UAV generals are using the UAV success in Afghanistan to get old programs expanded (more Predators and Global Hawks are being bought) and new ones (like the X-45) put on the fast track. --Stephen V Cole