UCAV

There has been a lot of press in the last few years on UCAVs or for those not in the know Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles. Currently they are being devolped as Reconnisance drones, weapons platforms, and first strike bombers. What other uses do you, the forumites here at ATS see UCAVs being used for? One idea is a long endurance UCAV orbiting on station around the us equipped with long range missles whch could be used as an alternative to lasers in the ballistic missle shield program. Another is as a ground troop support role. But what else? What do you think the flying robots of the future will do?

Hmm...they already used for border/coast partol in Australia, so non-military 'Recon' missions.
UAV's & UCAV's will get more diverse roles in the near future. I've read articles that suggested using UAV's as flying stations which provide wiseless internet/communications. Here is a nice pic of the solar-powered UAV Helios/Pathfinder:

The UCAVs could be also used for air-air combat. They will be lighter, cheaper, without cockpit (less drag), and could withstand 40 Gs. The F-22 could fly with two mechanical drone wingmans.

Zion that reminds me of the new airship that Lockheed was building the big blimp which is 25x bigger than the Goodyear blimp they could be trying to use those blimps for that reason.