UAVs development is marked by significant progress becoming increasingly important to ensure the safety, efficiency and sustainability of aviation operations. The paper deals with the history of unmanned aerial vehicles development from a UAV prototype back in 1916 to the Second World War when the idea of UAVs began to receive more attention from the military and scientific institutions. Their most interesting application is research missions in space. UAVs as a specific military unit - drones have significantly changed the way of waging war in Ukraine. The future use of UAVs promises to revolutionize various spheres of life.
