Sporting an attitude, the Teledyne-Ryan BQM-34B Firebee drone was usually launched from a Lockheed DC-130 transport aircraft and followed a programmed flight plan to conduct surveillance missions, drop leaflets or find North Vietnamese missile sites. Afterward, the drone released a parachute and as it descended was snatched in midair by a recovery helicopter. More than 1,000 Firebees flew more than 34,000 sorties during the war. Speeding at 690 mph and flying as high as 60,000 feet, it was an elusive target. North Vietnamese MiG pilots counted any they shot down as legitimate air-to-air kills. Tom Cat, shown here, carried out a remarkable 68 missions in its career. (U.S. Air Force)