Foxtrot Alpha ventured to Edwards AFB late last spring to catch up with the RQ-4 Global Hawk test team to see how the program was progressing. While there, we also got a unique first-hand account of what it is like to 'fly' an aircraft that essentially flies itself.

Meet Major Keith Schilawski, his job is to fly, or direct if you will, the USAF's largest and most autonomous operational unmanned system on missions that can last well over a day's time, apparently a job where one of the biggest challenges is just staying awake: