Drone Manufacturing Workers

The use of unmanned aircraft dates back to the 19th century. The military armed balloons with bombs rather than sending pilots and soldiers to conduct risky attacks. In 1898, the military put a camera on a kite to take aerial images for reconnaissance purposes during the Spanish-American War. Unmanned aircraft systems were used in World War I and II, and in other wars and conflicts since then.

The original name for drones was remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs). The word drone was introduced in the 1940s, derived from the bee-like droning sound that the RPVs make; also like worker bees, the RPVs follow orders and don't have a mind of their own.

The use of drones has expanded beyond the military, with a wide variety of industries taking advantage of the benefits drones can provide. Companies that are involved in agriculture, scientific research and development, real estate, transportation, police work, firefighting, and other public safety services use drones to capture images for review and analysis. Drones have also become increasingly popular with hobbyists. More people have access to drones because of innovations such as smartphones and mobile devices.

As demand for drones increases and more drones take to the skies, laws regarding drone usage have been established and are continually updated to protect people and property. The Federal Aviation Administration issues regulations for drone usage in the United States. FAA drone regulations include requirements for pilots and aircraft, locations where drone usage is and is not permitted, and the rules for drone operation for commercial, educational, and recreational purposes. Commercial drone operators must be certified as remote pilot certificate, be at least 16 years old, and they must be vetted by the Transportation Security Administration.

The use of drones is expected to continue growing in the years to come. The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems estimates that more than 100,000 drone-related jobs will be created in the United States through 2025 with an economic impact of more than $82 billion. This growth will mean that drone manufacturing workers will continue to be needed to help meet the demand for drones.