Aircraft, Reconnaissance

Aerial reconnaissance aircraft are flying platforms designed to use their aerial perspective to provide superior tactical and strategic reconnaissance for militaries. Aerial reconnaissance began as cameras attached to hot air balloons and evolved to purpose-built planes to take images of troop movements, locations of weapons caches, and other important military intelligence to further tactical and strategic operations. These aircraft have experienced constant development since the advent of powered flight; in recent decades, new technologies have moved to the fore, taking on an ever-expanding role in aerial reconnaissance. Satellites launched into space are used to spy on targets from their orbits above the earth. Remote-controlled drones represent the latest tool in the U.S. Air Force’s arsenal for both gathering intelligence for the air force and striking ...