Boeing Phantom Ray(01 of10)
Open Image ModalType: Military (U.S.)\r\n\r\nDescription: Boeing\'s stealth Phantom Ray took to the skies for the first time in April 2011. According to Boeing, the Phantom Ray can perform missions such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; suppression of enemy air defenses; and electronic attack.\r\n\r\nPotential Deployment: Unknown. This is a \"demonstrator\" so there will likely be a future variation of the Ray. (credit:Boeing)
General Atomics Predator Avenger(02 of10)
Open Image ModalType: Military (U.S.)\r\n\r\nDescription: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Predator Avenger C is a beast. According to the two-page brochure, the PAC is a \"Next-Generation Multi-mission ISR and Strike Aircraft\" and successor for the Predator B that can be stacked with a multitude of weaponry. \r\n\r\nDeployment: There is one demonstration craft currently in Afghanistan. (credit:General Atomics)
SOCOM Mini Drone Of Doom(03 of10)
Open Image ModalType: Military (U.S.)\r\n\r\nDescription: Yo dawg, I heard you like drones so I put a drone in your drone. One small deadly warhead-equipped mini-drone stuffed into another, to be launched from the main drone and remotely aimed at a target. \r\n\r\n\r\nPotential Deployment: This warhead-equiped micro-UAV could be flown by SOCOM in the skies by spring 2012. (credit:Getty Images)
Suicide Switchblade(04 of10)
Open Image ModalType: Military (USA)\r\n\r\nDescription: AeroVironment\'s Switchblade is meant to be a portable, rapid deployment, beyond line-of-sight, \"loitering munition\" that is a \"magic bullet.\"\r\n\r\nA bit of advice, AeroVironment: Don\'t describe a remote-controlled bomb as a \"loitering munition\" that you call \"Switchblade,\" as it conjures up images of 1950\'s-style greasers loitering on street corners, flipping open switchblades idly as they wait for their favorite gals. \r\n\r\nLuckily, greasers won\'t be in charge of flying Switchblades. They\'re to be controlled by infantry and according to the AeroVironment, \"Flying quietly at high speed the Switchblade delivers its onboard explosive payload with precision while minimizing collateral damage.\" \r\n\r\nPotential Deployment: Undisclosed. (credit:AeroVironment)
Firescout(05 of10)
Open Image ModalType: Military (U.S. Navy)\r\n\r\nDescription: Northrop Grumman describes the Firescout as a \"Transformational Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle system provides unprecedented situation awareness and precision targeting support for U.S. Armed Forces of the future. The MQ-8B Fire Scout has the ability to autonomously take off and land on any aviation-capable warship and at prepared and unprepared landing zones in proximity to the soldier in contact.\"\r\n\r\nPotential Deployment: March 2013 (credit:Northrop Grumman)
Euro Hawk(06 of10)
Open Image ModalType: Military (German Ministry of Defense, purchased from Northrop Grumman)\r\n\r\nDescription: NG touts its Euro Hawk, built for German Ministry of Defense, as having a \"wingspan larger than a commercial airliner, endurance of more than 30 hours and a maximum altitude of more than 60,000 feet, EURO HAWK is an interoperable, modular and cost-effective replacement to the aging fleet of manned Breguet Atlantic aircraft, which have been in service since 1972 and will be retired in 2010.\"\r\n\r\nPotential Deployment: 2015, 2016 (PDF) (credit:Northrop Grumman)
Taranis(07 of10)
Open Image ModalType: Military (British)\r\n\r\nDescription: BAE System\'s Taranis (PDF) is aiming to \"Push the boundaries by providing advancements in low observability capability and autonomous mission systems operations demonstrating the feasibility and utility of UAVs.\" Such a statement starts to push the idea of fully autonomous flight from science fiction into science fact, though we\'re still a long way off from having an actual real debate on fully autonomous drones fighting our battles and flying our skies. \r\n\r\nPotential Deployment: TBD, test flights have been delayed to 2012. (credit:BAE Systems)
Boeing Phantom Eye(08 of10)
Open Image ModalType: Communications\r\n\r\nDescription: Boeing\'s hydrogen-powered Phantom Eye is a High Altitude Long Duration Craft designed to fly at 65,000 feet for up to four days. \r\n\r\nPotential Deployment: Unknown (credit:Boeing)
DARPA Vulture(09 of10)
Open Image ModalType: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)\r\n\r\nDescription: DARPA\'s description says the \"Vulture technology enables a re-taskable, persistent pseudo-satellite capability, in an aircraft package.\" Basically, DARPA is attempting to develop a super long duration craft capable of five year continuous flight. Think about that - the Vulture is intended to fly for up to five years continuously. If it were to launch this year it would be in the air for two Olympics. \r\n\r\nPotential Deployment: Unknown (credit:DARPA)
AVIATR: Drone To Fly Saturn's Moon(10 of10)
Open Image ModalType: Government Funded Space Exploration\r\n\r\nDescription: While the proposal probably won\'t go through for this mission, this is an aerial drone we can really get behind. AVIATR would be a long distance drone that would fly the skies of Saturn\'s moon Titan. \r\n\r\nPotential Deployment: Beyond 2020 (credit:Mike Malaska)