MORE KILLER DRONES ON THE RUNWAY

Boeing isn't the only company showing off its latest killer drone model. At the Farnborough Air Show earlier this week, Northrop Grumman unveiled a full-scale mock-up of its X-47B robotic fighter jet, too.

The Pentagon is funding the development of both the Northrop drone and Boeing's X-45C pilotless plane, as part of its Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems program. The two companies have slightly different designs for their jets -- Northrop's has more of a serrated wing, and is being designed for Navy work, not just Air Force jobs.

But the idea is the same for both models: to have a plane that can hit targets really deep in enemy territory, without endangering a flesh-and-blood pilot. The drones are also supposed to knock out air defenses, and serve as a set of robotic eyes in the sky for American generals. Each one will have a range of about 1,300 nautical miles, and carry 4,500 pounds' worth of bombs.

Northrop is working on three X-47B prototypes, which are supposed to test the drone's air vehicle, mission control, support and simulation systems. But don't be fooled by the Photoshop montage below. The company won't have 'em ready to fly until 2006, at the earliest.