Unmanned aerial vehicles are rapidly coming of age after years of being relegated to the sidelines of limited, specialized missions. While they will proliferate and assume unforeseen roles, it's unlikely they'll replace manned combat aircraft for some time, if ever.

Boeing X-45A Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle Begins Flight Testing

Britain is in talks with the U.S. and exploring the possibility of becoming a partner in the latter's X-45 uninhabited Combat Air Vehicle program.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is investigating the use of smart materials to create shape-changing, multi-mission aircraft and bring about a leap in low-observable design.

France has initiated a demonstrator program to develop key technologies for Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles.

Overview of the Navy side of a DARPA program to develop the Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle concept into practical use. The X-47A Pegasus is an early demonstrator from this effort.

Small man-portable reconnaissance drones are finally seeing action as the war on terrorism brings home ground troops' need to see over the next hill.