The Economist also sheds light on the emerging business with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).

"Today, at least 32 countries are developing a total of more than 250 models of UAV, and 41 countries already operate 80 types. Most of these are reconnaissance craft, but pilotless aircraft will also be the combat vehicles of the future. As the leading frontier in aviation research, the military's ideas and development on UAVs will be influential in the rest of aviation.

As UAVs have proved themselves in various theatres of war, military interest has blossomed. In the past two years, American spending on them has gone from $300m-400m a year to over $1 billion, according to Laurence Newcome, who runs the website "UAV Forum". America's Department of Defence expects to spend $16 billion on UAVs between 2002 and 2010. According to a UAV road map from America's Department of Defence, by 2012 UAVs the size of F-16 fighter aircraft are likely to exist. These will be capable of many combat and support missions, including the suppression of enemy air defences and electronic attacks on enemy sensors. The ultimate goal is to enable America to project its power on to the far side of the globe with no need for nearby air bases, or risk to the lives of pilots. "

"By 2020, the Pentagon estimates that one-third of America's combat planes will be robotic. UAVs certainly look as though they will be commanding a large share of future military spending (see chart). And the Joint Strike Fighter being built by Lockheed Martin looks as though it will be the last new manned American fighter for decades. By 2100, human military pilots will be a quaint oddity. Why? Even if pilots could be beefed up with an exoskeleton that would allow their bodies to turn under a force 20 times that of the Earth's gravity, they think and react more slowly than computers."