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Article: Still a steep learning curve: as seen from a wide-angle lens, the drone world is reaching a turning point, probably one that will lead to many others. One thing is clear, though, Europe is finally trying to hammer its own niche in a discipline that has been hitherto led by Israel and the United States.(Drone update)
- Article from:
- Armada International
- Article date:
- October 1, 2008
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Armada International. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Before turning to recent events and developments, there is a further point that might require reflection, and that is the vulnerability of drones to aircraft attack. For obvious reasons, drones have hitherto been regarded as 'more expendable' items than conventional aircraft. However, they have also become increasingly expensive items. One getting lost to an enemy attack in a war zone is bad enough. However, when this happens whilst patrolling one's border, as it did, a few months ago between two nations that were not, strictu sensu, at war (this was well before Georgia and Russia ran into their mid-August crisis) the philosophical question ...