ATC
Issues abound in expansion of UAV missions
The number of unmanned air vehicles in our skies is growing fast, but there are many regulatory and doctrinal issues to resolve, before UAVs and their grou

The number of unmanned air vehicles in our skies is growing fast, but there are many regulatory and doctrinal issues to resolve, before UAVs and their ground and underwater-based cousins will operate routinely. 

Indeed, even the terminology is evolving. The Shephard Grouprenamed its UAV conference, held here in Paris last week, “Unmanned Systems” to reflect the multi-dimensional thrust of current developments. But the vice chief of the French air force had another suggestion. “I prefer the term ‘remote-controlled,’ since humans must remain in control of these vehicles,” said Gen. Jean Paul Palomeros. He also asked rhetorically, would nations be more likely to go to war, if they could fight without risking human lives?