The military is increasingly turning to unmanned aerial vehicles for surveillance and combat operations because of the aircraft’s multimission capabilities and technologies, the New York Times reported Sunday.
Daniel Solon writes that manufacturers offer UAVs that range from hand-launched reconnaissance drones to experimental solar-powered surveillance aircraft.
The report said Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC)is developing a carrier-based combat drone and Boeing intends to begin testing next year its Solar Eagle aircraft.
Boeing intends for Solar Eagle to airborne for as long as five years, Solan reports.
Michael Richter, head of aerospace and defense investment banking at Lazard, told the Times U.S. drone and cybersecurity programs might not be affected by spending cuts.
Philip Finnegan, director of corporate analysis at aerospace consultancy Teal Group, told the Times he expects the U.S. fiscal 2014 budget plan to include more drones intended to be stealth.
