FUTURE: Advancements in technology produced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) for the U.S. military to send into enemy territories.
By Valeria Gutierrez, Staff Writer
It is strange to think that 15 years ago, VHS (if you even remember what that is) surrendered to the DVD, which was slimmer and more user-friendly. Within the last decade, computers and laptops have become more affordable for the average American, placing the world’s knowledge within almost everyone’s reach. About 21 years ago, the first smartphone went on sale for 899 dollars and has since gone down as low as 100 dollars, regardless of how much more advanced the newer phones have become. The basic smartphone now permits the user to have a phone, computer, camera, calculator, music player, wallet, dictionary and keys inside a single pocket. Just as companies around the world race to sell the newest and best technology possible, the U.S. government constantly promotes the invention of machines to assist the country.
Modern warfare up to this point in history has dealt with the best weapons, the most protective gear and the most efficient way to win battles. Recently, the U.S. military upped its game through the invention of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones. Drones are small planes without pilots onboard and are controlled on the ground in an American base by a trained pilot with other qualified assistants to help during missions. The two types of drones invented by the U.S. military are those that spy and those that hold bombs and missiles to take out enemies without boots on the ground. Not only are the drones highly effective but they also save the lives of American soldiers.
Thousands of Americans join the armed forces each year to protect and serve the country they love. While most of the soldiers sent overseas during a time of peace will return, unexpected incidents can easily take place. Although military camps are set up in relatively peaceful and discrete areas, soldiers are often tracked and attacked when out of their camp’s grounds. Through the use of drones, American soldiers will not have a reason to leave their camps if the drones have already taken out the enemy. During drone attacks, it is inevitable that innocent people will be killed by being at the wrong places at the wrong times, but then nearly any battle will cause civilian deaths. With troops on the ground, the American soldiers not only have to take out the enemy, but also protect themselves and take out those threatening the mission while drone attacks go directly to the intended target. Through the use of technology, there is less room for error. The effectiveness of the drones has an 83 percent kill rate for the intended target, which at times is more secure than having human soldiers come in and risk walking into traps.
Although the UAVs continue to advance, gathering information is still the primary purpose. Instead of sending spies and soldiers into dangerous situations to acquire knowledge, the drones are capable of using radar and infrared cameras in order to see outside, inside and underground. What is especially remarkable is that these machines are able to provide this intelligence not only to those in the U.S. but also to U.S. soldiers within the enemy area.
Drones are used during circumstances that necessitate military action to protect America and its people. The killings by the machines are intended to keep the U.S. safe at all costs by stopping terrorist outside of America. While the U.S. military tries to maintain peace between all nations, some limits push the military to put the safety of its soldiers and citizens before that of other countries. Since the first use of drones in 2004, about 36 terrorist leaders from a group known as Al Qaeda in the Middle East have been eliminated.
While using machines instead of man is more beneficial in dangerous situations, sometimes both must work as one for the best outcome. One of the most memorable moments in recent American history is the capturing and killing of Osama Bin Laden, a leader of Al Qaeda, who planned the biggest terrorist attack in history by crashing two full commercial airplanes into the World Trade Center Towers in New York. By using drones, the military was able to spy on Bin Laden and pinpoint his location without putting American soldiers in harm’s way. Later on, a military specialized group known as Seal Team Six went into the area where the drones had tracked Bin Laden and quickly took him out without any casualties to the team or innocent people.
Advancements made in military technology have helped protect America, the soldiers serving it and the people who call it home. Since drones are extremely effective in gathering information and killing their intended targets, they play an important part in future warfare as more nations start to invest in the programs. In some situations it is better to capture than kill the enemy, making it essential that soldiers and pilots who control drones work together to keep America safe. Although drones are expensive devices which need constant care, how can anyone put a price on the life of an American soldier, neighbor, friend, parent or spouse?