"Drones" exhibit takes off

Credit: Svetlana Jovanovic

"Drones: Is the Sky the Limit?" at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, is the first exhibit to explore the ongoing story of drones — their origin and history, how their forms and uses have changed over time, and how we might deploy them in the future. [Read more about the drone exhibit at the Intrepid museum]

Early target drone

Early target drone

Credit: Courtesy of the National Archive

Historic photo of the WW2-era radioplane TDD, an early target drone.

A military workhorse

A military workhorse

Credit: Svetlana Jovanovic

The Gyrodyne QH-50 Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter (DASH) was developed in the 1950s and was used by the military for 43 years to drop bombs capable of neutralizing submarines.

DASH in action

DASH in action

Credit: Courtesy of US Navy

Crew members of USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) load a practice torpedo onto a QH-50 DASH. The DASH carried two Mk 44 torpedoes weighing 425 pounds (193 kg) each.

Boeing Insitu ScanEagle

Boeing Insitu ScanEagle

Credit: Courtesy of Boeing Insitu

The Boeing Insitu ScanEagle was the first drone approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for commercial use beyond line of sight, where the operator can’t see it. Fishermen use the ScanEagle to locate schools of fish.

Rescue mission

Rescue mission

Credit: Mindy Weisberger for Live Science

The ScanEagle, on display in the exhibit, played a key role in the rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips by U.S. Navy SEALs during the 2009 hijacking of Maersk Alabama by Somali pirates.

RQ-2 Pioneer

RQ-2 Pioneer

Credit: Couresy of US Navy

The RQ-2 Pioneer, developed jointly by the United States and Israel, was derived from an Israeli design called the Mastiff. The Pioneer was the first highly successful surveillance drone of the modern era.

Military might

Military might

Credit: Svetlana Jovanovic

Drones were first engineered and used exclusively by the military, and many drones in use today were originally designed for military purposes.

Cormorant UAV

Cormorant UAV

Credit: Photo by Mindy Weisberger for Live Science

The Cormorant Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, designed by the Israeli firm Tactical Robotics, is still in the early stages of development, and could be used to transport supplies in military zones.

Scientific research

Scientific research

Credit: Svetlana Jovanovic

Drones play an important role in scientific research, enabling scientists to gather data from locations that were previously inaccessible.

eBee drone

eBee drone

Credit: Courtesy of Duke University Marine Lab

The eBee drone surveys 4.6 square miles (12 square km) in a single automated flight, making it an ideal tool for tracking large groups of moving animals.

Drones

Drones

Credit: Courtesy of NASA

NASA may one day use unmanned flying vehicles to augment ground traversing rovers in the exploration of extraterrestrial bodies. In order to function properly, these aircraft will need to have some atmosphere, such as on Mars.

Drones and the arts

Drones and the arts

Credit: Photo by Mindy Weisberger for Live Science

Visitors to the exhibit may be surprised to learn that artists are increasingly finding uses for drones, such as the flying quadrocopter lampshades designed by Cirque du Soleil for their stage performance

Virtual flight

Virtual flight

Credit: Svetlana Jovanovic

In the digital interactive "Take Control of a Drone," users guide a drone through airspace over New York City, collecting tokens and avoiding "no-fly zones."

Future designs

Future designs

Credit: Svetlana Jovanovic

Drones may one day be robust enough to easily transport people. Engineers are currently developing designs for autonomous flying cars that could safely carry commuters. [Read more about the drone exhibit at the Intrepid museum]