This is actually old news, but it is somewhat an urban legend, as well.
A General Atomics MQ-1 Predator has been hung from the ceiling of Mitchell Hall at the US Air Force Academy. Mitchell Hall is the huge dining facility that seats every cadet for every (mandatory) meal.
While static displays of aircraft have long been used to highlight the Air Force mission and inspire others to serve, this is probably the most Read more
One of the “advantages” of unmanned aerial vehicles is the removal of the human element from much of the operation. In theory, its inability to get tired, make mistakes, or act with emotion may make a UAV a “better” system. In theory.
While the UAV may not be able to get “sick,” it is apparently still vulnerable to computer viruses, as public reports indicate has occurred to both MQ-9s and MQ-1s (which are essentially the same UAV). To be fair, that was likely a result of the “human element,” but the fact remains that UAVs are not always the panacea some may think they are.
The New York Times reports the United States has, with the knowledge of the Mexican government, begun flying drones over its southern neighbor to “gather intelligence” on Mexico’s ongoing drug war.
Officials on both sides of the border also said that Mexico asked the United States to use its drones to help track suspects’ movements. The officials said that while Mexico had its own unmanned aerial vehicles, they did not have the range or high-resolution capabilities necessary for certain surveillance activities.
One American military official said the Pentagon had flown Read more
A newspaper columnist recently suggested there was a “strong moral argument” for taking out the Libyan leader, and the MQ-1B Predator was just the tool for the job. Columnist Richard Miniter said:
Since President Barack Obama seems comfortable killing terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan with Predator drone strikes, why not in Libya?
Ignore the political and even moral aspects of such a statement for a moment.
Such an assertion is both ignorant and asinine.
Following Operation Desert Storm, hundreds of hours of CNN Read more
The US Air Force has accepted delivery of the last MQ-1 Predator. This completes the purchase order created some time ago.
For all those who look forward to joining the Air Force to fly by remote control, not to worry: Production and purchase of the Predator‘s bigger brother, the MQ-9 Reaper, is still in full swing.
This was the “last” only because newer and better UAVs are now filling the ranks.