The advantages and applications of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are briefly introduced. The electro-optical payloads on fixed wing UAV and UAV helicopter are analyzed. Based on this, the new UAV platform is introduced. The development trends of UAV electro-optical payloads are summarized in the end. With the rapid development of UAV platform technology and electro-optical payload technology, UAV electro-optical payloads will have the characteristics of long endurance, good stealthy, multipurpose, active electro-optical jamming ability and high intelligence.