Predators Lack Precision In Prey

MQ-9

From The Lamron:

Predator drone aircraft are taking pilots out of the heat of battle, but moral and practical problems arise.

Despite their questionable legality in international law and the public opinion backlash they create in the Islamic world, drone attacks have been viewed by the new U.S. administration as extremely effective.

In the time since President Barack Obama took the oath of office, there have been about 120 deaths in eight drone attacks inside Pakistan.

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My Comment: This writer is more concerned about "the moral, legal (?) and practical problems that arise than the procedures that are used in making the MQ-9 the effective tool that it is. If the Reaper was not effective, this program would have been terminated a long time ago.

Taliban: We Shot Down A U.S. Drone Over Pakistan

The MQ-9 Reaper taxies into Creech Air Force Base, Nev., home to the newly reactivated 432nd Wing. The 432nd Wing consists of six operations squadrons and a maintenance squadron for the Air Force fleet of 60 MQ-1 Predator and six MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles. U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr. Source: USAF

From The Danger Room:

In the last year, U.S. drones have struck militant compounds in Pakistan more than 40 times, killing hundreds. Over the weekend, the local Taliban shot down one of the unmanned aircraft that have been so deadly to the jihadists.

That is, if you believe the militants. So far, though, no wreckage has been found. And officials on all sides are denying any shoot-down took place.

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My Comment: True or not .... it is only a question of time before one is shot down. I say so what .... there are dozens more coming down the assembly line.

Predator Passes 500,000 Flight Hours

Photo: CREECH AFB, Nev. - A MQ-1B Predator unmanned aircraft system takes off for a training mission at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr.)

From The National Guard:

CREECH AFB, Nev. (2/20/09) - Airmen of the 432d Air Expeditionary Wing made history Feb. 18, when an aircrew flew the MQ-1B Predator Unmanned Aircraft Systems in a combat mission in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility surpassing the 500,000 flight hour mark.

Members of the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron flew the milestone mission in support of operations in Iraq.

"A half-a-million flying hours is an amazing accomplishment and the Airmen of the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron are proud to be a part of this milestone," said Lt. Col. Ken Callahan, 15 RS director of operations. "The 15 RS currently flies 28 percent of all MQ-1B Predator combat air patrols over Iraq and Afghanistan and we're able to meet the needs of the Joint Force Commanders for this no-fail 24/7 combat ops mission because of the hard work and dedication of our total force team of active duty, Air Force Reserves and Air National Guard Airmen here."

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My Comment: 500,000 hours .... that is impressive for a program that was non-existant a few years ago.