Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 623.7469
EAN num: 9780760318256
ISBN number: 0760318255
Label: Zenith Press
Manufacturer: Zenith Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 128
Printing Date: November 20, 2004
Publishing house: Zenith Press
Sale Popularity Level: 244312
Studio: Zenith Press
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Nowhere in the world of military technology is the transition from science fiction to science fact more astounding than in the dark world of autonomous aerial combat vehicles. Before there were autonomous war machines, there were unmanned war machines. After a brief history of unmanned aerial vehicles, we reach the autumn of 2001. At that time, unmanned, remotely-piloted reconnaissance aircraft were very first adapted for offensive combat operations. However, even at that time, work was already progressing on the very first generation of combat aircraft that could both fly AND fight without crews.- Latest technology in the quest for the 'robotic battlefield'- Subject of a 'PBS' documentary and 'History Channel' specials- Another key anti-terrorist weapon (and so far, very successful)About the AuthorBill Yenne is the author of more than three dozen books, mainly on historical topics. Before turning to a career as an author, Mr. Yenne was a nationally-recognized artist and illustrator. His illustrations have appeared in a number of national magazines, including Rolling Stone, and several of his paintings are in the official collection of the US Air Force. He is the author of the 2003 title The American Brewery, also from MBI Publishing Company. He lives in San Francisco, California.
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Rated by buyers 
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As Bill Yenne emphasizes at the introduction section, the book is solely about UAV projects of USA. The book covers up to date information by the time of its creation (2004).
Attack of the Drones contains excdellent pictures of several UAVs of USA. It may be purchased just because of the picture content. But some of the pictures are not synchronous with the text, i.e. picture of a UAV may be seen a few pages before it is mentioned in the text.
The book claims to mention every project of USA (I write "claims" because I am not in a position to verify the coverage). I think more technical information could be provided, perhaps with some tables summarizing properties of the vehicles.
Although not perfect, it is certainly an enjoyable book to read, and it can be used as a reference about history of USA UAV projects.
Rated by buyers -
This book was an enjoyable read about the history and development of American Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from the 1940's to present day. The book had technical details and colour pictures of every American UAV - it reminded me of an encyclopedia or other reference book. While enjoyable, the book had a few quirks that I didn't like. Except for the mention of a few Israeli UAVs the book said nothing about non-American UAVs (there are quite a few). Second, the beautiful pictures often did not match up with the text. The text was talking about one UAV, but the image subsequent to it was another. The book was kind of "dry." With a title of "Attack of the Drones" I was looking for some action and war shots - there was very little of either in this book. Instead, the book droned on for chapters mentioning individual UAVs, dates of service, technical dimensions, which UAV it replaced, and which UAV replaced it. This got boring after a while. The upside is that one can retrieve all the historical data and a nice picture of any American UAV - past or present. Overall I did like this book and recommend it to any fan of UAVs.
Rated by buyers 
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When the United States Air Force was set up independently from the United States Army (as the Army Air Corps which fought World War II) an agreement was made that the Army would no longer have any armed fixed wing aircraft. So even though the Army has had a number of aircraft that would have been suitable for arming they were prohibited.
This has caused considerable friction, as the Air Force has concentrated its efforts on the strategic aspects with concentrations on long range nuclear armed forces at the expense of the tactical ground support that the Army needs. The Army countered with arming its helicopters because they hadn't been considered in the original agreement.
The Air Force likewise has traditionally not supported drone aircraft. After all, the way for promotions in the Air Force is to fly planes in combat situations.
The realities of the situation in Afghanistan has forced some changes in these areas. For the very first time there was a wide use of drone observation craft. On occassion these drones found targets that U.S. forces wanted to attack, but by the time a piloted aircraft could arrive to make the attack, the target was gone. Over opposition permission was given to hang some smart weapons on the drones. They were extremely successful.
This book does an excellent job of describing the development of drones since the 1940's. He reports on these early attempts at creating armed drones. He further gives a good introduction on the new craft that are under development.
Rated by buyers -
Great photos, a poignant story, and just enough science. It had a nice allusion (but not too graphic) about the author's efforts to end the practice of clubbing baby seals that allows the parent to use it as an avenue of discusion or not. My 5 year old daughter loved the book!
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