Corax (Raven) (Drone_pilot’s pic)

[ArcticWolf]

I really like your pic, Drone_pilot:

http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost/data/582/cor.jpg

However, I'm a sceptic about unmanned aircrafts. Hackers are of course on my mind. These aircrafts are controlled by computer systems.

As much as there will be complex ways of protecting these computer systems, I know enough about hackers to know that there will be at least one out there who will try until he/she can access these systems, just because it's a challenge for them...

Here are some links (lost one... found another but with more historical background?) describing UAVs/UCAVs:

http://www.newscientist.com/channel/mech-tech/aviation/dn8596

http://www.baesystems.com/gallery/air/page9.htm

http://www.janes.com/press/articles/pc060116_1.shtml

http://www.edwards.af.mil/moments/docs_html/74-11-04.html

UAVs are intelligence collectors and UCAVs are armed - at least that's the definition I've seen somewhere. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[Matzos]

However, I'm a sceptic about unmanned aircrafts. Hackers are of course on my mind. These aircrafts are controlled by computer systems.

I'm with you on that point AW, I'm from the old school of 'wet' film photographic reconnaissance aircraft, but now the RAF is moving away from this and going to 'digital' reconnaissance systems.
It will not be too far in the future before the RAF start using systems like the US Gobal Hawk (http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/6047/si/hawk/what/allfields)UAV to replace all reconnaissance aircraft. It costs less and no life is on the line (which is the only good point).
I look at it this way, the only way to stop a 'wet' film aircraft, is to shoot it down, with any digital system someone in time will try and hack into it.

Great links mate. solthum