The use of air vehicles as reconnaissance platforms dates back before the invention of the airplane to the use of hot air balloons by the armies of nineteenth century Earth. The advent of the airplane increased the usefulness of aerial reconnaissance. The spy satellites of the early twenty-first century, with their detailed photographs and relative invulnerability, temporarily reduced the importance of aerial reconnaissance, and spy planes came to be used simply as a back-up system if the satellites somehow failed. By the Star League era, which its wealth of satellites and other space-born industries, aerial spy planes had become extinct. After the collapse of the Star League, with its satellites shot down by war, civilian planes and their civilian pilots were pressed into military service to watch for enemies, with mixed results.
         The Federated Suns finally answered the need for aerial reconnaissance in 2888 with the creation of the Boomerang Spotter Plane. It was the first plane designed expressly for aerial reconnaissance in the Successor-States era and became the template by which other recon planes were measured.

         The Boomerang's most obvious feature is its long wingspan. The long, tapering wings make the plane fuel-efficient and also a good glider. The two forewings are perched on thin spars made of foam aluminum, making them strong enough to support the winglets and their control cables. The forewings promote the craft's control and stability, making it almost impervious to stalls.
         Two vertical stabilizers sit to either side of the pilot's cockpit. When in use, the entire stabilizer pivots instead of just the trailing edge, as on other airplanes. This, coupled with the stabilizer's placement in the swift airflow caused by the large propeller, makes the Boomerang extremely maneuverable.
         The engine, a standard prop-jet design, is mounted just below the cockpit floor. It is highly efficient, using fuel stored in the wings for a six-hour flight. If the pilot chooses to glide part of the time, the fuel may last even longer. The Boomerang's engine has an unusual exhaust system that channels the wastes through two slits on the upper edge of the wing between the two vertical stabilizers and the cockpit. The propeller then disperses the heat, making it difficult to trace the plane via infrared tracking devices. The large propeller is variable-pitched, reducing noise. The pitch also allows the pilot to feather the prop when he wishes to glide.
         Such a large propeller on an oddly proportioned plane posed some difficulties in designing suitable landing gear. The Boomerang's designers chose to stow the nose gear below the plane's fuselage, and its long and thin landing wheels beneath the wings. Because of its large wingspan, the Boomerang requires only 44 meters of landing space on a dry level surface, and 75 meters to take off.
         The lightweight Boomerang does not have many of the computer-guided systems common to larger aircraft, that monitor the pilot's actions. A Boomerang's pilot must therefore have a natural flair for flying. With its engine running, the Boomerang's maximum ceiling is 10,000 meters; if the pilot can hitch a ride on a thermal current, the plane can go higher.
         The Boomerang's cameras and tracking systems works in infrared as well as standard light. The cameras see clearly even at night, enabling the Boomerang to function in all but the worst weather conditions. The two cameras can work independently, locking on to two separate targets and relaying the information back.
         The Boomerang's major weakness is its lack of arms and armor. To compensate for this vulnerability, the pilot of a Boomerang usually flies at least 300 meters off the ground, somewhat reducing the camera's abilities but keeping the pilot out of danger.

         The Boomerang has performed long and well in service to the Federated Suns. Used when AeroSpace Fighters are too precious to spare for reconnaissance, the Boomerang has seen action over many worlds. The fact that it can be disassembled quickly and stowed in the holds of even the smallest DropShip allows 'Mech units down to the company level to take advantage of the Boomerang.
         The plane has also won praise for its adaptability to varying air densities and weather conditions while campaigning on arid worlds such as Kesai IV or in the turbulent winds over New Ivaarsen.
         Cal-Boeing has shipped them throughout the Federated Suns over the last two centuries, and continues to sell them throughout the Federation Expanse of today. They have also licensed production of the simple aircraft to many worlds, making locally-produced Boomerangs a common sight in many areas.