unmanned aerial vehicle

The Drone That Fell From the Sky

Nick Turse / Truthdig Dec 21, 2011 The skies seem full of falling drones these days. The most publicized of them made headlines when Iran announced that its military had taken possession of an advanced American remotely piloted spy aircraft, thought to be an RQ-170 Sentinel. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

The Rise of the Machines

Staff / Truthdig Sep 26, 2011 Improvements in the technology behind the predator drone are advancing at a rate faster than a half-naked Arnold Schwarzenegger fleeing extra-terrestrial assassins in an alien jungle. Two new books bring us up to date. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Pakistani Lawyer Blocked From U.S. After Suing CIA on Drone Strikes

Staff / Truthdig Jul 3, 2011 Pakistani lawyer and human rights champion Mirza Shahzad Akbar, who has aided the U.S. government in legal counterterrorism efforts, was banned from traveling to the States to speak at Columbia Law School after suing the CIA about drone strikes that have killed civilians in his country. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

U.S. Presses Covert Airstrikes in Yemen

Staff / Truthdig Jun 9, 2011 Following Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's emergency departure for medical treatment last week, the U.S. government has taken advantage of the resulting power vacuum to resume covert fighter jet and drone attacks that have killed civilians and suspected terrorists alike. (more) Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

UAVs: The Future of Warfare in America

Staff / Truthdig Jul 24, 2009 Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said it, and judging by this three-part series from CNN, the age of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is upon us. It's warfare by joystick -- and the Predator drone is only the beginning. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )