pilotless aircraft

American  

noun

1. an aircraft equipped for operation by radio or by robot control, without a human pilot aboard; drone.

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Etymology

Origin of pilotless aircraft

First recorded in 1940–45; pilot + -less

Example Sentences

Unfortunately, it seems these are the last days of envelope-pushing men and women in naval aviation; pilotless aircraft are more reliable and they’re next.

From Washington Times • May 12, 2022

The planes were showcasing an experimental technology introduced in World War II. During the war, pilotless aircraft served as missiles, delivering a punch to hardened, well-defended targets.

From Washington Post • Sep. 18, 2021

Boeing bolstered its portfolio of unconventional, pilotless aircraft last year by buying Aurora Flight Sciences, whose projects include a new flying taxi it is developing with Uber Technologies.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2018

It added that the business jet industry could save up to $3bn and civil helicopters about $2.1bn by introducing pilotless aircraft.

From BBC • Aug. 8, 2017

The public congressional hearing on "drone-kill policy" was noteworthy: government officials refrained for years from even uttering the word "drone" when talking about the use of armed, pilotless aircraft because such operations were classified.

From Reuters • Feb. 27, 2013