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11:21 am
Thu January 17, 2013

NOVA: Rise of the Drones

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Credit Courtesy of WGBH
Predators lined up in hangar at Holloman AFB.
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Credit Courtesy of WGBH
A quadrotor appears in flight.
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Credit Courtesy of WGBH
Close up of sensor ball on Predator. The ball houses videocameras, an infrared camera, laser target indicator and radar sensors.
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Credit Courtesy of WGBH
Abe Karem, the father of the Predator uav, with the Albatross, an early model of what would later became the Predator. Karem built the Albatross in his garage.
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Credit Courtesy of WGBH
MQ-1 Predator waiting to be pushed outside for flight training mission.

Drones. These unmanned flying robots — some as large as jumbo jets, others as small as birds — do things straight out of science fiction. Much of what it takes to get these robotic airplanes to fly, sense and kill has remained secret. But now, with unprecedented access to drone engineers (including a rare interview with the “Father of the Predator,” Abe Karem) and those who operate drones for the U.S. military, NOVA reveals the amazing technologies that make them so powerful. Discover the cutting-edge technologies that are propelling us toward a new chapter in aviation history.

Airs Wednesday, January 23, at 8pm on Channel 5.

Watch the full episode.