The smallest military UAVs in service actually have no pilot, on the ground or anywhere else. They are simply launched, and then fly to predetermined coordinates and run preset search patterns, and orbit around items of interest on a path which keeps the camera on the center of the orbit.
This saves the military having to train R/C pilots. Just send em up, and tell em where to go and when to come home.
I'm surprised to hear that they come home in one piece. Autonomous take off is easy. Landing requires some real precision instruments to line it back up with the runway and touch down without a mishap. It would be fun to see one of these UAVs on return.