[George W. Bush]

The failure of NRO is, in part, spurring the development of long-range robotic spy drones. The newer ones are being designed for stealth, to evade radar and to mask any heat signature. The new visual stealth technology (LCD panels on at least the underside of the plane with cameras on top to relay a picture of the overhead background) will probably debut on these robotic drones. Then they'll be largely invisible even at close range to visual, infrared, and radar.

I expect that NRO will become increasingly irrelevant as the flexibility and capability of robotic drones increase. The cost of the giant spy satellites, their vulnerability to anti-satellite weapons, their reliability problems and their generally predictable orbital schedule (allowing the enemy to hide assets when they pass) are pitted against the lower cost and flexibility of drones.

Drones are the future.

[FairOpinion]

"Drones are the future. "

There is some truth, in what you say, but there are also major errors and omissions. Drones can't look at every place in the globe, do you have an idea what it would cost to fly drones 24/7 to cover the globe the way the spy satellites cover it?

Each has its role. The satellites are essential for reconnaissance, drones are excellent for known conflict areas, such as Iraq or Afghanistan.