Sooo these UVs didn't develop as fast as I hoped it would.. Rummy thought spendning gaggillions on super expensive big ticket items was a better idea.

But anyway we got this now...


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First MQ-9 Reaper makes its home on Nevada flightline
by Senior Airman Travis Edwards
99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

3/14/2007 - NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNEWS) -- The MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle's younger, yet larger and stronger, brother, the MQ-9 Reaper arrived March 13 at its new home at Creech Air Force Base, Nev.

The remotely piloted aircraft completed initial testing in California, then flew more than 250 miles in two hours to land here. The aircraft was piloted by Lt. Col. Jon Greene, 42nd Attack Squadron commander. Along side him, was his sensor operator Senior Airman Aaron Aguilar, also of the 42nd ATKS.

"I am truly honored to be the commander of the Air Force's first MQ-9 attack squadron," said Colonel Greene. Our mission is to train MQ-9 crews and fly combat by this summer. Bringing the MQ-9 on line is going to take a fresh view on how we, as Airmen, train and employ."

http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...314-afpn07.htm
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http://www.defense-update.com/products/p/predatorB.htm



Muwahahaha... new toys




Now thats a sweet job; Remotely battle the enemy on the other side of the planet... and then be at the LasVegas strip within an hour.

__________________
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"When I'm in command, every mission is a suicide mission!" -Capt. Zapp Branigan
The United Church of the Latter Day Tangential Tarts

They're Heeeere.

http://www.defense-update.com/produc...eywell-mav.htm




These micro air vehicle systems are neat: hovering capable, back-packable UAV system, equipped with a zoom-daylight TV and an IR sensors, capable of 40 minute (minimum) mission, hovering or flying at an airspeed of 40 knot, at a service ceiling of 5,000 feet above ground level.

The US Navy placed an order for 185 units under an Urgent Operational Need Statement.. should start arriving in Iraq by this summer.

Something about having the president with nothing between him and murdering thousands but a button makes me uneasy. Of course, the way this president has mangled foreign policy, i guess we have that already.

Is no one else upset by this? I keep picturing a time tested General in a dark room, with some sweaty underling at a computer terminal.

General: Are you certain Mr. President? (a few muffled sounds come from the phone he is holding) Yes sir.
General: The plan is a go son. Initiate.
Young Sweaty Man: But sir, those are American protesters. I thought we were just trying to scare them!
General: Boy, do you want to peel potatoes till you're discharged for carpal tunnel?
Young Sweaty Man: No sir! (young sweaty man gives the initiate command, and blood insues on the computer screen.)

Someones been watching to much TV.