In August 1849, a balloon armed with bombs took flight. This is the first recorded use of attack drones. The Austrian Habsburg Empire released 200 balloons into the sky and were sent to bomb the city of Venice to prevent the outbreak of a revolution. (Gale) Reconnaissance balloons were also deployed during the American Civil War in an attempt to capture intelligence information. Over time, technological advancements have been made. A new type of drone has been created that can be controlled electronically. (Gale) Today, in 2014, these drones have evolved into large, solar-powered planes that have saved many soldiers on the ground. The U.S. Army contracted the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Company to produce the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper, both of which are useful for surveillance and intelligence gathering, and are used to deploy missiles that target and eliminate threats. to American security. (Gale) Although these drones have proven useful, many anti-drone advocates believe that these drones have caused more civilian casualties than they prevent and are allowing the United States to escape the horrors of war. The military has used drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) for decades, but in recent years they have become an important tool in gathering sensitive information abroad. The Obama administration has ramped up the use of drones in U.S. efforts abroad, particularly for targeted assassinations of high-profile activists, even in territories with which the United States is not technically at war . Proponents of drone use say drones help eliminate potential threats to U.S. security and foreign threats without risking loss of American lives. Drones not only provide a safe alternative to combat by carrying out strikes with minimal collisions...... middle of paper ...... and this would not violate any human rights laws. Both parties can agree on one thing: the security of “boots on the ground” nations. The fact is that drones do help protect military personnel. Drones significantly reduce the risk of injury or death. Given the outcry over the two opposing sides reaching a deal, creating a drone court seems like a rational approach. The process would be fair and precise; which are two aspects that almost everyone might not support. If the targets are first examined in court, the public would be more likely to accept the use of unmanned aircraft to carry out assassinations. With the increasing use of drones in the military, an agreement must be reached between civilians and the military. Without public support, funding for drones will decline and American soldiers will once again be in danger on the ground..