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Several iterations of each chapter followed the meeting. This process resulted in chapters that covered the breadth of HSI as well as the technical details of RPAS. The face-to-face meeting resulted in much cross-fertilization among the chapters. This is important given the systems orientation that the volume takes and the connections that are made by each chapter to other dimensions of HSI. 1 highlights the HSI dimensions covered in Chapters 2–9 as well as the scope of the RPAS landscape that is covered.

Conwell,1 John E. Stewart,2 Matthew J. Martin,3 and Lawrence G. 1 Introduction Ranging from the size of insects to the size of commercial aircraft, remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) have become ubiquitous in warfare, governmental and commercial endeavors, and recreational activities. The history of RPAS is not just about the development of the airframes and the means by which these systems are controlled. This chapter will chronicle the history of RPAS from the perspective of human systems integration (HSI).

5 RQ-7 Shadow, Courtesy of Defense Imagery 28 Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems most plentiful RPAS in the US Army’s inventory. The current version, the 300 series, has laser target designation capability and increased fuel capacity. The US Army RPAS mission until recently was primarily ISR, in which RPAS operators flew the system to a prede­ termined location, collected data, and remained until instructed to proceed to another location.