Intel, which is making a name for itself in the space, is bringing an army of mini drones to New York for the holidays. Specifically, the UAVs will be the backing act for the Rockettes at this year's Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Intel says that it'll be the first large-scale indoor theatrical drone performance, with the craft choreographed to dance with the Rockettes. The tech will be used to create holiday-themed shadows for the show's big finale, entitled Christmas Lights. And, rather than a one-off, this is Intel's first crack at making drones work for a long-running production, since there'll be 200 performances of the event.

The Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes -- an annual holiday stage show presented at Radio City Music Hall in New York City -- began one year after the Music Hall's opening night in 1933, which featured the Missouri Rockets dance troupe out of St. Louis. What was originally a two-week, 30-minute performance featuring an overture, a ballet, and a handful of vignettes expanded into a 90-minute extravaganza complete with real-life animals, a 36-person cast, 1,100 costumes, and 11 digital projectors that's been viewed by more than 75 million people. And this year will mark the addition of something new to the mix: more than 100 specially designed Intel drones choreographed over the stage. Intel says it's the first time its Shooting Star Mini drones have been incorporated into a theatrical indoor performance, and it claims it'll be the world's largest interior drone show. "We are constantly exploring new venues for Intel's drone light shows. It is an honor to partner with Radio City Music Hall to integrate Intel's innovative technology into the iconic Christmas Spectacular," said Natalie Cheung, general manager of Intel's drone light shows.