Experts: Drones basis for new global arms race The success of
U.S. drones in Iraq and Afghanistan has triggered a global arms
race, raising concerns the remotely piloted aircraft could fall
into unfriendly hands, military experts say. The number of
countries that have acquired or developed drones expanded to
more than 75, up from about 40 in 2005, according to the
Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of
Congress. Iran and China are among the countries that have
fielded their own systems. "People have seen the successes we've
had," said Lt. Gen. Larry James, the Air Force's deputy chief of
staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The
U.S. military has used drones extensively in Afghanistan,
primarily to watch over enemy targets. Armed drones have been
used to target terrorist leaders with missiles that are fired
from miles away. The United States is years ahead of the world
in the technology of drones. Israel is also a leader in
developing the unmanned aircraft. American dron