The September output figure was flattered by the value of Olympic ticket sales, while the additional bank holiday for the Royal Wedding also reduced output in the comparable period a year ago, the NIESR said.

BBC: UK economic growth outlook still weak, NIESR says

Aboulafia derides the exaggerated sales expectations that companies have for the systems, noting that his consultancy estimates the value of world unmanned aircraft output today at only 2.5 percent of the amount for manned aircraft, and forecasts it will remain below five percent in 2020.

FORBES: The Revolution In Unmanned Aircraft Is Overrated