The RAF Begins Predator Operations in Iraq

Sorry bit long but:

The British armed forces have not exactly had much success with UAV�s � to date the only UAV to enter operational service has been the ill-fated Phoenix. However, the inability of this poorly designed, unreliable and ill-equipped UAV to undertake operations in the high summer temperatures of Iraq led to MOD to approach the US about the possibility of operating the General Atomics MQ-1/RQ-1 Predator.

The approach was obviously successful because, with almost no publicity, it has recently been confirmed that the RAF have begun to actually operate the MQ-1/RQ-1 Predator. Earlier this year the RAF formed 1115 Flight, based at Indian Springs Air Force Auxiliary Field, Nevada, as part of a subordinate unit to the US Air Force�s 15th Reconnaissance Squadron. The exactly compliment of 1115 Flt is unknown, but if it follows US Air Force practice, the aircraft will be flown by a GD pilot supported by a WSO sensor operator - interpretation of the data will be undertaken by various intelligence specialists. Individuals from 1115 Flt are now operating the Predator in Iraq, as part of a US/UK Combined Joint Predator Task Force, in support of UK forces operating around the Basra area.

A report in the Sunday Times on 3 Oct 04 suggested that personnel from 1115 Flt were operating from two sites, Balad, near Baghdad and Nellis AFB, Nevada. At Balad they were reported to be part of the teams responsible for take-off and recovery, whilst in flight the Predators were being controlled remotely from Nellis, via satellite link. Nevertheless, the Predator detachment at Balad are undoubtably quite capable of controlling the aircraft throughout their mission, so probably the actual control of the 18hr missions is split between the two locations, to cut down the number of staff in theatre and, because of the time difference, to allow both teams to work predominately during daylight hours.

A new �purple� UAV unit, the Joint UAV Experimental Programme (JUEP) has been formed at RAF Waddington, to investigate the most effective way to operate UK UAV�s as well as the most efficient way to integrate the data obtained by the Watchkeeper UAV�s with that obtained by the new Sentinel R1 and Nimrod R1 aircraft. The lack of UK short-range surveillance UAVs recently led the UK to acquire 31 Desert Hawks and 12 Buster UAVs from the USA under a �fast-track� Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) programme. Whether this procedure will be used to actually purchase a number of Predators remains to be seen - presumably they are currently operated under some kind of lease arrangement. Either way this operation gives the Predator a head start in Project Dabinett, the MOD�s programme to identify a possible replacement for the Canberra PR9.

The JUEP has also purchased an EADS Eagle UAV to help evaluate the roles and capabilities of UAV�s operating in support of UK forces. The Eagle UAV will take part in various military exercises in the USA and Canada, where it will be flown in UK military markings by EADS personnel and will help establish the requirements for the UK MOD�s plan to acquire a Medium Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV. The EADS Eagle is a licensed built version of the Israeli Air Industries (IAI) Heron UAV, a fourth generation MALE UAV system capable of 40hrs endurance, fully automatic take-off and landing and operating up to 30,000ft. Powered by two 4 cylinder, turbo-charged engines producing 100hp, the Heron/Eagle is a twin boomed UAV equipped with an anti-icing system, giving the vehicle and all-weather capability. It can carry a payload of 250kg and is typically equipped with electro-optical sensors, a high definition SAR and a Laser Target Making and Designation system."

Source: www.spyflight.co.uk...

Well for my money that's cool if we are using them we will almost certainly buy them in the future as we will not need to retrain the personnel. Also wonder to we can control them using our skynet 5 network of comms sats that would mean the flight officers in the UK and operatios people on site or near the site?

Hey, nice site. I can't wair for the day when UAVs take over from manned flight.