Unmanned intelligent flying drones dominate

Grader A: partial

Unmanned aircraft grew fast and became a large part of US military aviation. DoD inventory rose from 167 in 2002 to nearly 7,500 in 2010, and unmanned systems were about 41% of DoD aircraft by 2012. But warfare was not dominated by them; most were small unarmed scouts and ground forces carried the fighting.

Test: Unmanned share of DoD aircraft: about 41% by 2012 (count), from 5% in 2005. Dominance of warfare: no.

• U.S. Unmanned Aerial Systems (CRS report R42136) (2012-01-03): DoD UAV inventory 167 (2002) to nearly 7,500 (2010); Raven 5,346 of 7,454; manned aircraft fell from 95% of DoD aircraft in 2005 to 59%.

Grader B: miss

Unmanned aircraft grew fast in 2009: CIA drone operations over Afghanistan and Pakistan doubled after Obama took office, and targeted strikes in Pakistan expanded. But warfare was not dominated by drones. The 2009 wars were fought mainly by about 186,000 ground troops in country, supported by manned aircraft. Drones were remotely piloted, not 'intelligent' autonomous systems. Drones were an important tool, not the dominant form of war, through 2014.

Test: Test: unmanned aircraft carry out most combat activity. 2009: a growing but minor share; combat dominated by about 186,300 ground troops plus manned air power.

• Drone strikes in Pakistan (Wikipedia) (accessed 2026-09): CIA drone numbers over Afghanistan and Pakistan doubled after Obama took office in 2009; the expansion ran parallel to sending 30,000 more ground troops.
• Troop Levels in the Afghan and Iraq Wars (CRS R40682) (2009): About 186,300 US troops in country in Iraq and Afghanistan in FY2009.