Unmanned spy planes hold promising future

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The April standoff between the United States and China over 24 detained crew members of a Navy spy plane has spurred interest in unmanned surveillance aircraft.

VIDEO CNN National Security Correspondent David Ensor reports on the aircraft, which have been dubbed Global Hawks (July 5) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

Experts say there are pros and cons to using so-called remotely piloted vehicles -- or RPVs -- to gather military intelligence.

But U.S. officials predict that there is a promising future for RPVs because they can take pictures of things that orbiting spy satellites cannot get.

CNN National Security Correspondent David Ensor reports on the aircraft, which have been dubbed Global Hawks.