Officials announce Predator, Reaper additional formal training location

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UNITED STATES - 14 JULY 2009

Holloman U.S. Air Force Base in New Mexico will be the new location for an additional MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper formal training unit, announced the commander of Air Combat Command here July 13.

Gen. John D.W. Corley, with concurrence from the chief of staff of the Air Force, announced the additional formal training unit will allow the Air Force to increase the number of Predator and Reaper combat operators.

Having more unmanned aircraft system combat operators will multiply the flexible, efficient use of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and lethal employment options of the joint forces commander's Predator and Reaper force.

"Air Combat Command has responded to the growing demand for UAS capabilities in today's fight and continues to aggressively acquire joint, interoperable unmanned aircraft systems and effectively train the operators," General Corley said. "The Air Force continues to identify and pursue opportunities to secure global vigilance, reach and power for our nation's future."

The decision was made based on the completion of a favorable Environmental Impact Analysis required under the National Environmental Policy Act, which indicated no significant environmental impacts. Other factors in the decision included the best combination of existing facilities, restricted airspace, cost effectiveness, mission compatibility and good weather.

"Air Force UAS operators are working 24 hours a day, every day to provide a persistent stare over the battlefield to support the ground forces," the general said. "We must train new UAS operators to support this critical capability and the stand up of the second FTU and the subsequent FTU consolidation at Holloman will put the Air Force on a sustainable UAS flight path."

U.S. MQ-1 Predator UAV



U.S. MQ-9 Reaper UAV

 

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Air Force leaders roll out UAS flight plan
UNITED STATES - 16 JULY 2009

WASHINGTON -- Air Force leaders ushered in a new era of airpower capabilities with the approval of the Air Force Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Plan June 23 by Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz.

The plan, which was developed by the Air Force's UAS Task Force, outlines a coordinated strategy for UAS integration across all Air Force core functions. It articulates a common vision and prescribes critical first steps necessary for ensuring that growing demands and contributions of these critical assets are maximized for the joint force.

"We must move away from the notion of UAS as a separate, minor Air Force capability," said Col. Eric Mathewson, director of the UAS Task Force. "In order for UAS to be institutionalized, they must be integrated into Air Force programs, plans, processes and culture."

The vision articulated by the UAS Flight Plan merges the unique characteristics and capabilities of UAS with Air Force core functions and joint force priorities. And while the vision does not prescribe replacement of manned missions, it does identify viable UAS alternatives for some.

There are several capabilities that will revolutionize UAS operations, one of which is multi-aircraft control, which, General Schwartz said, the program should move toward.

The evolution of UAS capabilities is outlined in Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel, Facilities and Policy terms in three phases: near, mid and far.

The UAS Flight Plan is a long-range vision, looking through 2047.

 

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UAS sensor operator training to begin at Randolph
UNITED STATES - 17 JULY 2009

RANDOLPH U.S. AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Air Force officials recently gave Randolph Air Force Base instructors the green light to begin training the next generation of enlisted sensor operators to support unmanned aircraft systems.

Stemming from the high demand for unmanned aircraft and operators, the 1UOX1 Air Force Specialty Code career field for enlisted sensor operators was created to better meet the need for highly-trained enlisted personnel to support UAS operations around the globe.

The first group of sensor operators will consist of cross-trainees from other career fields. They are scheduled to begin training at Randolph Aug 17. The first group to attend directly from basic training will start Sept. 21.

Sensor operators control the sensor suite on the MQ-1 Predator and the MQ-9 Reaper while also communicating with servicemembers and commanders in the deployed theater of operations and intelligence specialists watching the UA feeds at U.S. bases.

The new 3-level certification course, called Basic Sensor Operator Training or BSOT, will be 21 days long and consist of fundamentals, sensors and communication, reference systems, full motion video and operational interface.

"DOD leaders have recognized the need to produce more UAS operators and enlisted sensor operators," said Col. Jimmy Donohue, 12th Operations Group deputy commander. "This curriculum is the Air Force answering the call to provide the capability to support this growing need."

In response to an Air Force chief of staff directive last year, Randolph officials launched the first UAS course in November 2008. Known as the UAS Fundamentals Course or UFC, by design, it was created to give future UAS operators a foundation of tactical knowledge and weapons employment before heading to Creech Air Force Base, Nev., for technical training with actual UAs.

The enlisted students completing the new BSOT course will immediately join the UAS officer operator candidates in the UFC course to train together and develop crew resource management skills that are essential to the MQ-1/9's success, Colonel Donohue said.

"By partnering the newly awarded 3-level SO's with the officers in the UFC course, it will provide them a solid foundation to do their job effectively from day one," he said.

Department of Defense officials have identified the need to produce more UAS operators and platforms to support global operations, and since early 2008, the number of Predators in the Air Force supporting combat operations has doubled.

"Randolph AFB is committed to supporting the UAS program and DOD objectives by establishing a world-class training environment to meet enlisted and officer requirements for emerging UAS missions," Colonel Donohue said.

 

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AFOTEC members put unmanned aircraft through paces
UNITED STATES - 17 JULY 2009

EDWARDS U.S. AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- It's no secret that unmanned aircraft are widely used in today's war to provide information, surveillance and armed reconnaissance. What's not widely known is the evaluation process these aircraft go through before they are delivered to the warfighter.

Members of Detachment 5 of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center here test the MQ-1 Predator and three versions of the RQ-4 Global Hawk under realistic combat conditions to inform decision makers on the capabilities of the aircraft.

"We're going to set up scenarios on ranges and test complexes to stress the system," said Maj. Brian Maddox, the airborne signals intelligence payload test director.

These scenarios involve operators, maintainers, pilots and intelligence personnel performing exercises to imitate real-world situations. These operational tests are where the system's effectiveness is determined and the results are evaluated to ensure Airmen and joint coalition partners get the capabilities they need to complete their mission today and tomorrow.

"Airmen have been engaged in continuous combat for more than 18 years, and our Air Force is actively searching for ways to rapidly enhance our effectiveness at all levels," said Maj. Gen. Stephen T. Sargeant, the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center commander. "The warfighter is demanding the entire acquisition community rapidly develop, test and field urgently needed and often increasingly complex weapon systems, like the UAS."

The Global Hawk is becoming increasingly complex as its capabilities are increased. Detachment 5 members test these capabilities on three versions: the Global Hawk Block 20, 30 and 40.

Block 20 is an improvement on the Block 10 airframe, a proven intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance weapons system. The Block 20 has an increased wingspan of almost 15 feet, increased payload capacity of 1,000 pounds, new sensor capabilities and a new generator providing up to a 150 percent increase in electrical power.

The Block 30 aircraft carries the airborne signals intelligence payload that will increase battlefield signal collection capabilities, situational awareness and intelligence gathering across large areas of land.

The Block 40 version incorporates the multiplatform radar technology insertion program that provides high fidelity ground moving target indication and high quality radar imagery.

"The level of technology that we're at is now game changing," said Maj. Paul Wojtowicz, a test division UAS pilot for AFOTEC. "We can have an aircraft go and fly an entire 30-plus-hour mission almost hands off, return and taxi in. (The RQ-4) is an amazing bit of technology."

Major Wojtowicz began his career flying the C-5 Galaxy then became an instructor pilot before he was assigned to Detachment 5.

"It's a lot different and not necessarily as easy as everyone would assume because it poses a lot more challenges when you're flying from the ground with a mouse, not even with a stick," Major Wojtowicz said.

Major Maddox agreed, but they both realize the importance of the UAS test mission. Major Maddox has flown the C-130 Hercules, F-15E Strike Eagle, the U-2 and a hand full of trainers and realized that with UAs he had to change the way he thought about flying.

"I'm not yanking and banking in my F-15, but I'm doing an important job," Major Maddox said. "As servicemembers, you have to kind of get away from that fighter pilot mentality and look at the bigger picture. You talk to some of the Army Soldiers and they say that the (UA) has saved their behind."

Detachment 5 consists of a team of Airmen and contractors dedicated to improve the unmanned aircraft to minimize risk and save coalition force's lives by ensuring they are fully capable.

"The fact that you can actually influence the design, make it better before it gets out to the warfighter is deeply satisfying," said Keith Sanders, the technical adviser for AFOTEC Detachment 5.

"Knowing that system is better because of what our team both developmental and operational--have done together to improve it is satisfying," Mr. Sanders said. "Hopefully, once it gets out there it will absolutely exceed the warfighters needs."

AFOTEC currently operates five detachments and 12 operating locations across the United States.

Archive Photo: The USAF Global Hawk Block 40, the first UAV fitted with an active electronic scanned array (AESA) radar, will begin flight tests in July.

 

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12th RS deploys at home and abroad
UNITED STATES - 17 JULY 2009

BEALE U.S. AIR FORCE BASE, Calif., -- The RQ-4 Global Hawk flies with a completely different set of rules than what most of the Air Force is used to. With the unmanned technology of the aircraft, pilots can fly missions anywhere in the world from the safe confines of Beale. This unique operating procedure puts members of the 12th Reconnaissance Squadron in a situation all their own; one day they could be reporting for normal duty, the next, flying a mission supporting ground troops in a forward-deployed location.

The 12th RS is broken into two sections: local and Air Force Central Command (AFCENT). Local personnel fly approximately eight sorties each week training and supporting local missions. AFCENT-assigned members are those who deploy to forward locations to operate launch and recovery elements, where pilots take off and land the aircraft.

The 12th RS maintains nine personnel through a constant 60-day deployment rotation. A deputy director of operations, an instructor pilot and up to five pilots are responsible for the launch and recovery of each Global Hawk mission. Student pilots from the 1st RS are even tasked for deployment as part of their training.

"Everybody deploys at least on 60-day shift a year," Maj. David Gore, 12th RS. "It's very manageable and you really can't beat it."

Once the 60-day deployment for students is complete, they finish their certification and join the 12th RS working night shifts for six-to-eight weeks.

Immediate assignments to the night shift are done to optimize experience since most Global Hawk missions are flown at night. The mission control element is where flight operations take place once the aircraft is airborne and every flight, whether it's for training or AFCENT, is flown from Beale.

According to Maj. Jay Hubbard, 12th RS assistant director of operations for the AFCENT section, the night shift allows newer pilots to familiarize themselves with AFCENT and accommodate them to mission requirements. The night shift is just like being deployed, he said.

At any time a 12th RS member could receive notification of a deployed mission they'll be flying with as little as 12 hours to get prepared. This occurrence happens often and they must always be prepared to transition from a training mentality to a mission-focused mindset.

To help with this transition, members go through a pre-mission briefing where they will try to take in every bit of information they can regarding the upcoming mission. Reviewing checklist procedures and mission requirements helps to re-familiarize themselves with the task ahead.

"I start thinking about what we're doing over there and what our ground forces need," said Capt. Pete Grossenbach, 12th RS A-flight commander. "It's different from a training mission where I build my skills; now I have to put it to work."

Major Hubbard said for the most part, pilots understand when they're flying an AFCENT mission and that's what they're supporting. They then think about what we can do to help the people on the ground.

"You're not going to push the envelope as much on a training day. For an AFCENT mission it's different, the mission comes first," Major Hubbard said.

Besides the task set before them, other obstacles they face include shift length and rest. The 12th RS makes every attempt to keep people on a consistent schedule but last-minute notifications can lead to longer flights and being too tired isn't an option.

"Each day is a new mission and you have to make sure you're prepared," Major Hubbard said. "Everybody is different and you have to set yourself up for success. There are all kinds of things that could derail you. Most pilots have built a routine of how they prepare and it's almost second nature to them."

While they may only deploy to a forward location 60 days out of the year, the mental and physical challenges of constantly adjusting to the mission keep 12th RS members busy. Flying missions 24-hours-a-day including weekends, holidays and base down days requires a dedicated mindset with an overall central focus.

"It's our jobs; we do this day in and day out and we're always in the mindset of flying," Major Gore said.


An USAF Global Hawk sits on the runway before beginning a nighttime mission. The aircraft is unmanned, and is used to capture imagery from high-altitudes.

 

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Unmanned aircraft take on increased importance
UNITED STATES - 23 JULY 2009

The U.S. military's expanded overseas use of unmanned aircraft highlights the increased importance of such aerial platforms to current and future military operations, senior Air Force officers said here July 23.

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems Flight Plan announced July 23 will serve as a template for how the Air Force will look in 2047 - the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force -- Gen. William M. Fraser III, the Air Force's vice chief of staff, told reporters at a Pentagon news conference.

"The future of our systems is really now," General Fraser said. "The Air Force today looks dramatically different than it did 35 years ago when I first came aboard on active duty."

The flight plan, he explained, lays out the Air Force's "vision for maximizing our efforts in unmanned aerial systems" today and in the future.

"We'll continue to push the UAS envelope," General Fraser said, adding that unmanned systems are unmanned in name only.

"While there may be no Airmen onboard the actual vehicle, there indeed are airmen involved in every step of the process," General Fraser said, including the pilots who operate the vehicles' remote controls and sensors and maintenance personnel.

Unmanned aircraft systems "represent an important addition to our comprehensive set of Air Force capabilities that actually define air power," General Fraser said.

Lt. Gen. David A. Deptula, the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, told reporters that unmanned aircraft systems have proven effective during aerial strike missions against insurgents in Afghanistan and Pakistan, while also performing surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions.

Persistent flight capability, General Deptula said, is one of the advantages of employing unmanned aerial vehicles in military missions.

"What UASs bring to the table," General Deptula explained, "is the ability to stay in position or maneuver over large areas for a long period of time - that's where a person in an aircraft becomes a limitation."

UAS mission success rates have resulted in high demand for the unmanned aerial platforms, General Deptula said, noting that high- and medium-altitude UAS overseas combat missions have increased more than 600 percent during the past six years.

"What the Air Force wants to do," General Deptula said, "is to get the most out of these systems to increase our joint warfighting capability, while promoting service interdependency and the wisest use of our taxpayer dollars."

Yet, General Deptula said, the flight plan isn't just about how UASs are employed today, but also about how unmanned aerial technology could be applied in different mission realms in order to confront future challenges. For example, he said, UAS technology could one day be used in a modular platform that could perform a variety of tasks, such as cargo transport and aircraft refueling missions.

General Deptula equated today's level of UAS development with the progress made in manned aircraft in the 1920s.

There's "lots of potential" for expanding UAS technology across the military in the coming years, General Deptula said, but he also pointed out that replacing conventional fighter planes and pilots with unmanned aerial vehicles is a long way off.

The flight plan doesn't provide specific solutions, but it does address "concepts and possibilities that will fill in and morph over time," said Col. Eric Mathewson, the director of the Air Force's UAS Task Force.

The plan, Colonel Mathewson said, "allows us to reach out and talk to academia and industry, the other services, [Defense Department]-wide, our coalition and allied partners, and work together in a more efficient and synergistic way."

 

[moha199]

This is some good information buddy

 

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Airmen to Improve Intelligence Support During Exercise
UNITED STATES - 24 JULY 2009

Members of the 693rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group will observe and learn how the Air Force Distributed Common Ground System enterprise operates worldwide during Sentinel Focus 2009 to be held Aug. 2 to 6.

Headed up by the 480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing at Langley Air Force Base, Va., the study will help identify areas of improvement needed for practices and areas of the DCGS enterprise located at distributed ground systems across the Air Force.

Each location will have a team of subject matter expert to observe and evaluate how the DCGS enterprise functions during real-world operations over the course of the five-day study. There are five distributed ground systems being evaluated during Sentinel Focus 2009 and they are located at Langley AFB (DGS-1); Beale AFB, Calif. (DGS-2); South Korea (DGS-3); Germany (DGS-4) and Hawaii (DGS-5).

At Ramstein Air Base, the 693rd ISR Group uses the DCGS to support Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom by collecting, processing, using and disseminating ISR data from U-2 aircraft and MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system missions.

"Our subject matter experts involved in Sentinel Focus 2009 will be allowed to take a look at how we run our day-to-day operations to ensure the DCGS enterprise is operating in the most effective and mission-beneficial way," said Lt. Col. Aras Suziedelis, the 693rd ISR Group deputy commander. "This will require brainstorming, potential paradigm shifting and being open to new ways of doing our business."

Eleven issues will be evaluated by the teams during Sentinel Focus 2009 to help develop solutions. These solutions will be used by numbered Air Force commanders to assist in unifying ISR capabilities with joint warfighters, said Col. Dan Johnson, the 480th ISR Wing commander.

"Sentinel Focus 2009 will give us operational insight into Air Force DCGS enterprise best practices that need benchmarking and operational challenges that need addressing," Colonel Johnson said. "Once we gain this insight, we can formulate solutions that will allow us to further develop competencies vital to sustaining full-spectrum ISR capabilities for the war fighter and our nation."

At the 693rd ISR Group, this means a chance to improve its processes as well.

"This study will determine best practices at each distributed ground system, which could then be evaluated for us to standardize the processes across the Air Force as applicable," Colonel Suziedelis said. "Improving and streamlining processes at DGS- 4 can only translate into meeting our theater's intelligence requirements more effectively."

Units and ground sites of the 480th ISR Wing are also located in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Nevada and Utah.

 

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U.S. Air Force officials to host UAS Symposium
1 AUGUST 2009

Air Force officials will host the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Symposium Aug. 4 to 6 at the University of North Dakota, in which participants will address representatives of academic institutions and industry as well as local military leaders regarding the Air Force UAS vision.

Air Force leaders recently released a log-term roadmap called the "UAS Flight Plan" detailing the service's way ahead for UAS implementation.

They recognize and value the cutting edge research and development that academic and industry partners undertake in furthering the nation's military capabilities for its defense. The event will spark discussions among Department of Defense and industry representatives on UAS-related topics ranging from the growth and application of UAS-related technologies to changes in policy, doctrine, training and organization, among others, that will enable the service to realize its goals.

The event will consist of briefings by officials from key Air Force organizations related to the service's ongoing UAS efforts, as well as presentations by leading academics highlighting current research efforts. There also will be panel discussions by key Air Force and academic experts.

Distinguished guests scheduled to address the attendees include North Dakota senators Byron Dorgan and Kent Conrad, Congressman Earl Pomeroy, Governor John Hoeven and Gen. Stephen Lorenz, the commander of Air Education and Training Command.

 

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Enlisted sensor operators take flight in AF's newest career field
UNITED STATES - 18 AUGUST 2009

The U.S. Air Force boasts more than 130 enlisted career fields and on Aug. 17 one more was officially welcomed as the first class of 10 enlisted unmanned aircraft system sensor operators began their technical school.

Because of their capabilities, unmanned aircraft have become in exceedingly high demand in a very short time, according to the UAS Flight Plan for 2009-2047. Air Force operators are flying 660 percent more missions now than five years ago, and there is no end in sight for demands on these aircraft.

Since Randolph instructors began training Airmen some 70-odd years ago, they have primarily focused on training officer aviators. Now, with the advent of the enlisted sensor operator course, enlisted aviators are welcomed once again.

"Randolph competed against other AETC bases to be able to host this training," said Lt. Col. Larry Earls, 12th Operations Group Detachment 1 sensor operator lead. "We were ultimately selected, and started setting short, mid and long term goals to eventually reach a fully operational organization by fiscal year 2010."

Future ground-based aviators mark the inaugural class of 1U0X1 sensor operators in the Basic Sensor Operator course.

"The Basic Sensor Operator Course is a 3-level technical training certification for the newly developed Air Force Specialty Code 1U0X1," said Col. Jimmy Donohue, Detachment 1 commander. "This training lays the foundation for developing our enlisted force in this new career field, which is critical to meeting the demands of emerging UAS operations."

He went on to explain that the training includes UA flight characteristics, sensor capabilities and techniques. Additionally, it will provide a basic understanding of full-motion video employment.

Following initial classroom instruction, the course will pair the UA pilot and sensor operator tracks, said Chief Master Sgt. Kevin Bobenrieth, Air Education and Training Command career enlisted aviator functional manager. By doing this, they may start honing their crew coordination and situational awareness skills, which before now, were major challenges for students to overcome as they arrived at their field training units.

It is predicted that future UA pilots will routinely fly multiple aircraft during static portions of a mission. This capability requires each pilot to be engaged for total situational awareness.

"Once they successfully complete the training here, they will be certified as sensor operators," Colonel Donohue said. "Although certified, they will still require specialized follow-on training before achieving a fully mission capable status."

UAs offer an alternative to traditionally manned platforms. The integration of manned and unmanned aircraft increases Air Force combat capabilities, adaptability and safety of personnel.

The UAS Flight Plan vision calls for an Air Force that teams with the other military services, allies, academia and industry to capitalize on the unique UA attributes of persistence, connectivity, flexibility, autonomy and efficiency.

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

are there any chances that these aircrafts could be provided to Pakistan as per the recent demands of GOP. ?