UAV Problems, History, and a profitable industry that our Government recognizes

     With the advancement in aerial technology in the later 20th century, humans have began witnessing technologies never thought possible.  Most recent discussions have been debating the use of aircraft that fly, maneuver, survey, and even kill other humans without a pilot.  Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are machines that are primarily used for modern warfare by keeping our men and women safe from the enemy.  With terrorism becoming more rampant, the U.S. Government is beginning to see the benefits of utilizing this type of technology for National Security.  What is used for wartime and for the enemy Americans will see military technology exceed it’s boundaries and in the hands of local law enforcement agencies across the nation.  With documented instances of using UAV/systems by the Houston police departments as well as Austin’s police department.  The city of Austin needs to wonder; should the Austin Police department be allowed to utilize wartime surveillance against its citizens? 
     UAV technology has a variety of applications for the Austin area, and therein has potential broad effects on Texas economy.  Although economic figures can be speculative, recent analysis by Frost & Sullivan predicts the global commercial UAV market is worth billions of dollars.  The prospect of available profits has lured many types of investors – from small companies to large defense contractors.  The smaller companies tend to invest in commercial UAVs, while the larger defense contractors are working almost entirely in military applications.  However, larger companies typically enter the market once the industry has established a firm demand while keeping an active watch of their investment. 
     Just as recent as this past decade government agencies are also interested in the role of UAVs in for the Department of Defense (DOD), which tends to favor increased UAV access for homeland security and surveillance of the international border between Texas and Mexico.  For Austin and the state of Texas UAV is primarily concerned with maintaining or improving the level of safety while encouraging the growth of aviation.  Various organizations such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and NASA are interested in using UAVs for scientific research. In addition, branches of the law enforcement community and other search and rescue organizations are generally promoting UAV use to limit costs and improve effectiveness.  Although there are a variety of interests to consider, including the general public, government and private sector, it is important to reach an overall consensus that everyone can accept. 
     The first use of UAVs occurred during WW1 in U.S. airspace.  Although initial flights and tests were erratic the military recognized its potential.  However, the interest of UAVs would take a sharp dip after the end of World War I, as development of pilot less aircraft in the U.S. and abroad declined sharply.  By the mid-to-late 1930s, new UAVs emerged as an important combat training tool.  During World War II, Nazi Germany's innovative V-1 demonstrated the formidable threat a UAV could pose in combat.  America's attempts to eliminate the V-1 laid the groundwork for post-war UAV programs in the U.S. 
     From their early use as target drones and remotely piloted combat vehicles, UAVs took on a new role during the Vietnam War: stealth surveillance.  The success of the Firebee continued through the end of the Vietnam War.  In the 1970s, while other countries began to develop their own advanced UAV systems, the U.S. set its sights on other kinds of UAVs.  During the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, the Israeli Air Force, an aggressive UAV developer, pioneered several important new UAVs, versions of which were integrated into the UAV fleets of many other countries, including the U.S. 
     The City of Austin as of Jan. 2011 allowed its first mini UAV to be used by the Austin Police Department.  This allowed the police department to use a wasp drone to reach heights of up to 400 feet.  For now, use of these types of drones for high-risk law enforcement purposes is kept secret, although the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated plans to implement new rules that would allow the routine flying of these drones across the United States by 2013.  Equipped with high-resolution, infrared and thermal-imaging cameras, these drones could provide police with the accurate monitoring of all types of civilian areas and topographies. 
     U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Coryn advocate the use of UAVs technology. They understand that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) currently has five Predator B Unmanned Ariel Vehicles (UAVs) conducting high-quality surveillance along our nation’s international borders, with plans to deploy two additional Predator B UAVs in the near future.  The State of Texas has requested that CBP consider basing these additional UAVs in Texas to augment the efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies operating along the Texas-Mexico border.  However, the Department of Homeland Security has said that it is unable to take action on this request because the FAA has thus far failed to issue a Certificate of Authorization, which is necessary to enable CBP to safely operate UAVs in Texas.  They urge the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to give priority consideration to Customs and Border Protections pending Certificate of Authorization for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations in Texas. 

Here is information on a Current UAV pilot position, take a look any pilot can fly one of these.