X-Planes & Prototypes - 2000s
The 21st Century saw a proliferation of UCAVs (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle.) First used with great success in the U.S.'s 2002 invasion of Afghanistan, these remote-controlled aircraft could perform a wide variety of military missions -- and cause extensive damage -- without endangering the lives of human pilots. By the end of the decade, drones had become as emblematic of U.S. warfare in the Middle East as strategic bombers had been during WWII, ICBMS had been during the Cold War, and helicopter gunships were in Vietnam.
Unfortunately, the plastic model industry was slow on kitting the experimental and operational UCAVs, leaving a vacuum that a handful of enterprising "garage kit" companies were more than eager to fill.
Unfortunately, the plastic model industry was slow on kitting the experimental and operational UCAVs, leaving a vacuum that a handful of enterprising "garage kit" companies were more than eager to fill.
BOEING X-45A UCAV
(2001) Unicraft 1:72 |
X-43A SCRAMJET (2003)
Shadowaero 1:6 |