Drones performed a key role in Operation Sindoor. However, they are not a recent innovation. Their military application dates back to World War I, with early experiments by the British. The interwar period and post-World War II era saw the Americans advance this technology significantly. In recent years, however, drone warfare has undergone a dramatic transformation. The term "drone" is broadly used to refer to various types of unmanned systems such as Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). These platforms vary significantly in capability, with payload capacities ranging from 5 kg to over 500 kg and in roles from reconnaissance to surveillance to fatal attacks. They have proven their impressive capabilities in the entire spectrum of ISTAR-- Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) AND armed ISTAR missions as well. Watch ThePrint Consulting Editor & Foreign Policy Expert explain: