"The department believes that successful predator control can only be achieved when we have demonstrated that it is based on sound science, is cost-effective and has broad public acceptance, " Rue said.

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More than 150 additional Predator and Reaper drones, under U.S. Air Force control, watch over the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.

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General Atomics, the manufacturer of the Predator and the Reaper, argues that its later models have more backup systems to prevent those momentary losses of control.

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