RADM Thomas J. Cassidy's MQ-1 Predator

Beginning as early as World War I, the US military has tried to apply unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology to military applications. After billions of dollars in research and numerous failed projects, one thing has become clear. The development of unmanned aerial vehicles is not easy. "Military weapon acquisition in the US is remarkably complex given the number of multiple stakeholders, a situation that creates sharp inter-organizational tensions there are tensions between Congress and the Executive Branch, the military officers in the field and those at headquarters, and tensions between officers who set requirements on weapon systems and those who do program design and construction."2 Over the years the development of UAV systems has demonstrated these challenges and more.