A new project, approved by the Department of Defense this year as an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration, may help solidify aviation’s claim on UAVs. One portion of the effort, called the Hunter Standoff Killer Team ACTD, focuses on pairing UAVs with rotorcraft such as the Apache Longbow and the Comanche. The pilot of the helicopter would be able to control the UAV in flight, setting and resetting its course and directly tasking it to conduct surveillance of certain targets. Ultimately, the effort could help equip UAVs with laser designators which the helicopter could then use to guide in its rockets and missiles, thereby increasing standoff range and improving pilot survivability.