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Drones, UAVs, and RPAs: An Analysis of a Modern Technology

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Despite the fact they were invented more than a century ago, drones, or UAVs, have only recently become a widespread technology. Lower building costs coupled with non-traditional - military actions have caused the use of UAVs to escalate profusely. Due to this marked increase in application, a host of new problems and technicalities have created a need for new legislation in order for UAVs to be a useful and morally positive technology. It is the purpose of this paper to investigate the place of UAVs in the modern world and make recommendations to maximize the positive change this machinery can bring. This is accomplished by: analyzing the technical abilities and shortcomings of UAVs, point out possible improvements, and offer an educated guess into the future of UAV technology; examining the domestic impact of UAVs, the government’s resulting legislation and the possible future economic effects; scrutinizing the international implications of a new technology and critiquing how several governments are using UAVs improperly; and finally by considering the humanitarian impact of the current UAV programs. Without these considerations and solutions, their misuse will hurt the potential benefits that UAVs offer and drive the public against them.

  • This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.
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Identifier
  • E-project-050114-120740
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Year
  • 2014
Date created
  • 2014-05-01
Location
  • Worcester
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