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http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123162615


An MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft prepares for take off in support
of operations in Southwest Asia. The Predator is a medium-altitude,
long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft that conducts armed
reconnaissance against critical targets.
(U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

8/10/2009 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Coalition airpower integrated with coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan during operations Aug. 9, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here.

In Afghanistan, coalition aircraft provided armed overwatch for a patrol near Kandahar. A show of force was requested when friendly forces were ambushed and received heavy small-arms fire from enemy forces. The show of force to deter enemy action was deemed successful allowing friendly forces to regroup and take care of their injured.

Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs performed a show of force near Chahar Bagh for friendly forces taking small-arms fire. The show of force ended the enemy action allowing the friendly forces to work on a disabled vehicle and return to the check point.

Near Asadabad, coalition aircraft were providing armed overwatch when friendly forces, under small-arms fire, requested that an enemy position be neutralized. The aircraft deployed several precision guided munitions that destroyed the enemy position.

In Asmar, Air Force MQ-1 Predators and F-15E Strike Eagles provided armed overwatch for Afghan forces. A request was called in to neutralize an enemy sniper position. The F-15Es deployed precision guided munitions destroying the enemy position. An enemy mortar position was then observed, identified and confirmed. A strike was requested on the position. The Predator released a missile on the target eliminating the position.

A-10s at Lashkar Gah were providing armed overwatch for friendly forces when small-arms fire broke out from known locations of anti-Afghan forces. The A-10s strafed the enemy positions with cannon fire causing all small-arms fire to cease.

Near the town of Sangin, an Air Force B-1B Lancer was called in to destroy an imminent threat to Afghan and friendly forces. Precision guided munitions were released on the bunker, bunker entrance and a trench line coming out of the bunker. The munitions destroyed the entire enemy position.

A Predator in Tarin Kowt was requested to follow a suspected enemy vehicle. After the vehicle was confirmed as an enemy vehicle, it was destroyed with missile fire.

Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to coalition units verified the success of these missions.

In total, 71 close-air-support missions were flown in support of the ISAF and Afghan security forces, reconstruction activities and route patrols.

Twenty-seven Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Afghanistan.

In Iraq, coalition aircraft flew 28 close-air-support missions for Operation Iraqi Freedom. These missions integrated and synchronized with coalition ground forces, protected key infrastructure, provided overwatch for reconstruction activities and helped to deter and disrupt hostile activities.

Twenty-three Air Force and Navy ISR aircraft flew missions as part of operations in Iraq. In addition, two Air Force aircraft performed tactical reconnaissance.

Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft and C-17 Globemaster IIIs provided intra-theater heavy airlift, helping to sustain operations throughout Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa.

Approximately 140 airlift sorties were flown, 665 short tons of cargo were delivered and about 3,300 passengers were transported. This included about 125,000 pounds of aerial resupply cargo dropped over Afghanistan.

Coalition C-130 crews flew as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq.

On Aug. 7, Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and "Guardian Angel" teams transported 13 patients to coalition field hospitals from locations in Afghanistan. Pararescue team members aboard located, rescued and began treatment to stabilize patients in the battlefield. The HH-60G transported these patients to field hospitals in less time than it takes for a civilian patient to reach emergency care by ambulance in most major cities.

Air Force aerial refueling crews flew 48 sorties and off-loaded approximately 2.5 million pounds of fuel to 195 receiving aircraft.

The Predator is an amazing aircraft. It is the perfect weapon for neutralizing the enemy. Am I dreaming or did the Taliban shoot one down before 9/11 over Afghanistan?

Also what other nations have similiar technology?

-Delta767-300ER

Delta767-300ER wrote:The Predator is an amazing aircraft. It is the perfect weapon for neutralizing the enemy.

I mostly agree, the more I learn about our UAV's, the more impressed I am with them AND the skilled and talented pilots who fly them.

Delta767-300ER wrote:Am I dreaming or did the Taliban shoot one down before 9/11 over Afghanistan?

I don't remember hearing anything about that, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen. I have looked around and I can't find anything about the first loss due to enemy action, but I did find this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MQ-1_Predator

By the time of the Afghan campaign, the Air Force had acquired 60 Predators, and lost 20 of them in action. Few if any of the losses were from enemy action, the worst problem apparently being foul weather, particularly icy conditions.

Delta767-300ER wrote:Also what other nations have similiar technology?

UAV's and drones have actually been around for a long time are becoming very common now.

The MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper are operated by:

Italy

* Aeronautica Militare
o 32º Stormo — Foggia, Amendola Air Force Base
+ 28º Gruppo

United Kingdom

* Royal Air Force
o No. 1115 Flight RAF
o No. 39 Squadron RAF

Turkey

* Turkish Air Force; The Turkish Air Force has on order 6 MQ-1 Predators via the USA's Foreign Military Sales mechanism.

United States

* United States Air Force
o Air Combat Command
+ 432d Air Expeditionary Wing—Creech Air Force Base, Nevada
# 11th Reconnaissance Squadron
# 15th Reconnaissance Squadron
# 17th Reconnaissance Squadron
+ 53d Wing—Eglin AFB, Florida
# 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron—Creech Air Force Base, Nevada
o Air Force Special Operations Command
+ 1st Special Operations Wing
# 3d Special Operations Squadron—Creech Air Force Base, Nevada
o Air National Guard
+ Texas Air National Guard
# 147th Reconnaissance Wing—Ellington Field
* 111th Reconnaissance Squadron
+ California Air National Guard
# 163d Reconnaissance Wing—March Joint Air Reserve Base
* 196th Reconnaissance Squadron
* Central Intelligence Agency
* U.S. Customs and Border Protection

According to Wikipedia with sources quoted, some other nations with UAV capability and their respective types are:

Argentinian models

* Lipan , reconnaissance

Australian models

* Aerosonde, reconnaissance
* Cybird, development

Austrian models

* Schiebel Camcopter S-100, reconnaissance

Belgian models

* EPERVIER drone (1969)
* B-Hunter UAV (2002)

Brazilian

* XMobots Apoena LALE (low-altitude long-endurance) (2009)

Brazilian/South African model

* Denel Bateleur MALE (medium-altitude long-endurance) (2008)

Bulgarian models

* RUM-1, target (1967)
* RUM-2, target (1967)
* RUM-2M, target (1969)
* RUM-2MB, target (1971)
* M-200, target (1971)
* UtRUM, targer (1974)
* P-200, target (1975)
* Yastreb-1, target (1978)
* Yastreb-2, target (1981)
* Yastreb-3,target (1982)
* NITI (2006)

Canadian models

* Canadair CL-89, reconnaissance (1964)
* CL-227 Sentinel, reconnaissance (1977)
* Silver Fox ALIX (Atlantic Littoral Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Experiment) (2004)
* SAGEM Sperwer (2003-2006)
* ADVANCED SUBSONICS/XIPHOS Grasshopper (2000)
* MMIST CQ-10 Snowgoose (2000)

Chilean models

* Sirol, reconnaissance and researsh (2007) UAV Sirol
* Sirol 221, reconnaissance and meteorology researsh (2008) UAV Sirol 221

Chinese (PRC) models

* ChangKong-1, target, reconnaissance (1966)
* ChangKong-2
* ASN-206
* WZ-5
* WZ-2000, reconnaissance (2003)
* Xianglong Unmanned Reconnaissance Aerial Vehicle, military reconnaissance (2009)

Czech models

* Sojka III

European models

* EADS Barracuda, reconnaissance and combat (2006)
* EADS SIDM, reconnaissance (2006)
* Dassault nEUROn, combat (expected in 2011)
* Higheye HE60, Cam helicopter[5]

French models

* SAGEM Sperwer, reconnaissance
* Dassault AVE-D Petit Duc, research (2000)
* Dassault AVE-C Moyen Duc, research (2001)
* Dassault-Sagem SlowFast, reconnaissance (2004)
* Verhagen X2 Autonomous Helicopters, flycam reconnaissance (2008)[1]
* Flying-Robots FR102, softs wings based (2008)[2]

German models

* Drohne CL 289
* Aladin, reconnaissance
* Rheinmetall KZO, reconnaissance
* Luna X 2000, reconnaissance
* MIKADO
* EuroHawk, reconnaissance (developed together with the U.S.)
* EADS Barracuda, German-led program together with Spain
* OFFIS Guard, reconnaissance and research http://www.flugrobotik.de

Greek models

* HAI Pegasus, reconnaissance (1982)
* 3 Sigma Nearchos, reconnaissance (1996)
* EADS 3 Sigma Iris
* EADS 3 Sigma Alkyon
* EADS 3 Sigma Perseas

Hezbollah models

* Mirsad-1, reconnaissance, possible weapon (2004)

Indian models

* DRDO Nishant
* DRDO Rustom
* Lakshya PTA
* HAL/DRDO Gagan Tactical UAV [3]

Indonesian models

* PUNA (Pesawat Udara Nir-Awak, Made by BPP Teknologi)

Israeli models

* IMI Mastiff
* Top I Vision Casper 250
* Top I Vision Aerostat
* Silver Arrow Micro-V
* Silver Arrow Sniper
* IAI Skylark - Canister Launched mini-UAV system
* IAI Scout
* IAI Searcher
* IAI General
* IAI Harpy
* IAI Harop
* IAI I-View
* IAI Ranger (with Switzerland)
* IAI Heron
* IAI Eitan
* IAI RQ-2 Pioneer (with the USA)
* IAI RQ-5 Hunter (with the USA)
* Elbit Skylark
* Elbit Hermes 450
* Aeronautics Dominator
* Aeronautics Orbiter
* Aeronautics Aerostar
* Aeronautics Aerolight
* EMIT Blue Horizon 2
* EMIT Sparrow
* EMIT Butterfly

Iranian models

* Ababil
* Mohajer 3
* Mohajer 4

Italian models

* Meteor, now SELEX Galileo Avionica Mirach series (Mirach 26, Mirach 150), target drone and reconnaissance variants
* SELEX Galileo Avionica NIBBIO, tactical reconnaissance
* SELEX Galileo Avionica FALCO, reconnaissance
* Alenia Aeronautica Sky-x, research UCAV (2005)
* Alenia Aeronautica Sky-y, research-reconnaissance MALE (2007)
* Alenia Aeronautica Molynx/Black Lynx, reconnaissance HALE (in development)

Japanese models

* Yamaha R-50
* Yamaha R-MAX

Jordanian models

* Jordan Falcon
* I-wing
* Jordan Arrow
* Silent Eye

Malaysia

* Eagle ARV System

Mexican models

* S4 Ehécatl by Hydra Technologies
* E1 Gavilán by Hydra Technologies

Pakistani models

* Uqaab
* Jasoos
* Mukhbaar

Peruvian models

* CEDEP-1

Polish models

* AerialRobotics EasyUAV
* ITWL HOB-bit
* WB Electronics SOFAR
* WB Electronics RUFUS

Serbian models

* IBL-2000
* Mini UAV Gavran (Raven)
* Medium UAV

Singaporean models

* ST Aero FanTail
* ST Aero Skyblade
* ST Aero MAV-1

South African models

* Kentron Seeker
* Kentron Skua
* ATE Vulture
* Denel Bateleur
* YellowPlane

South Korean models

* KAI Night Intruder, reconnaissance

Soviet/Russian models

* Lavochkin La-17, target and reconnaissance (1953)
* Tupolev Tu-123, reconnaissance (1964)
* Tupolev Tu-141, reconnaissance (mid-1970s)
* Yakovlev Pchela, reconnaissance
* ZALA 421-08, most popular Russian UAV reconnaissance plane 2007
* ZALA 421-06, reconnaissance helicopter 2008
* ZALA 421-12, reconnaissance plane 2008

Spanish models

* Aerovision Fulmar, surveillance (2007).
* SIVA (Artillery Observer Plane)
* HADA (INTA)
* ATMOS-2 (INDRA)
* EADS BARRACUDA (with Germany)
* MANTIS (INDRA)

Swiss models

* RUAG Ranger
* Swiss UAV NEO S-300

Swedish models

* SHARC
* Saab Skeldar
* Saab Filur
* CybAero APID 55

Taiwanese models

* Chung Shyang II [12]

Turkish models

* TAI TIHA (MALE) (due 2010)
* METU Güventürk (Mini)
* Bayraktar Mini UAV (Reconnaissance)
* VESTEL Efe (Mini) 2007
* VESTEL Arı (Micro) 2007

Thai models

* IAI Searcher (with Israel)

United Kingdom models

* Fairey Queen (1930s)
* de Havilland Queen Bee (1930s)
* Airspeed Queen Wasp (1936)
* Miles Queen Martinet (1940s)
* ML Aviation Sprite (1981)
* Meggitt Banshee, Target drone {1984}
* BAE Phoenix, reconnaissance (1986)
* QinetiQ Observer, experimental lightweight reconnaissance
* BAE Corax, research (2004)
* BAE HERTI, reconnaissance (2004)
* Thales Watchkeeper WK450, reconnaissance (2005)
* BAE Skylynx II, reconnaissance (2006)
* BAE Fury, reconnaissance/attack (2008)
* BAE Taranis, research (planned)
* BAE Mantis, research, (planned)
* QinetiQ Zephyr, high-altitude long-endurance (in development)
* QinetiQ Mercator, research (in development)
* UnKnown Aerospace Cygnet, logistics (in development)

United States military models

* Hewitt-Sperry Automatic Airplane, weapon (1916)
* Kettering Bug, weapon (1918)
* OQ-2/TDD-1 Radioplane, target (1939)
* Ryan A/BQM-34 series Firebee I and II, target (1951)
* North American X-10, research (1953)
* Northrop GAM-67 Crossbow, multi-role (1956)
* Northrop AQM-35, target (1956)
* McDonnell ADM-20 Quail, decoy (1958)
* Beech MQM-61A Cardinal, target (1959)
* Gyrodyne QH-50, research (1960)
* Beech AQM-37 Jayhawk, target (1961)
* QH-50 DASH, attack (torpedo launch)
* Ryan Model 147/AQM-34 series Fire Fly and Lightning Bug, reconnaissance (1962)
* Northrop M/BQM-74A Chukar, target, decoy (1964)
* Lockheed D-21, reconnaissance (1964)
* Ryan AQM-91 Firefly, reconnaissance (1968)
* BQM-90, target (1970)
* Boeing YQM-94A Compass Cope B, reconnaissance (1973)
* BAE Systems SkyEye (with the United Kingdom), reconnaissance (1973)
* Ryan YQM-98A Compass Cope R, reconnaissance (1974)
* Ryan AQM-81A Firebolt, target (1983)
* BAI BQM-147 Dragon Drone, reconnaissance (1986)
* RQ-2 Pioneer, reconnaissance (1986)
* General Atomics GNAT-750, reconnaissance (1989)
* Sikorsky Cypher, research, (1992)
* RQ-1/MQ-1 Predator, reconnaissance, combat (1995)
* LR-3 Tigershark, reconnaissance (2004)
* RQ-3 Dark Star, research (1996)
* RQ-6 Outrider, reconnaissance (1996)
* Bell Eagle Eye, tiltrotor reconnaissance (1998)
* AeroVironment Puma AE, reconnaissance (1998)
* IAI RQ-5 Hunter, reconnaissance (1999)
* AAI RQ-7 Shadow, reconnaissance (1999)
* MQ-8 Fire Scout, reconnaissance (2000)
* RQ-4 Global Hawk, reconnaissance (2001)
* AeroVironment Wasp III, reconnaissance (2001)
* MQ-9 Reaper, reconnaissance, air attack (2006)
* Desert Hawk, reconnaissance (2001)
* AeroVironment Dragon Eye RQ-14, reconnaissance (2002)
* Boeing X-45, research (2002)
* RQ-15 Neptune, naval reconnaissance (2002)
* X-47 Pegasus, research (2003)
* Boeing X-50, research (2003)
* Boeing X-46, research (2003)
* ScanEagle, reconnaissance (2004)
* Boeing A160 Hummingbird, research (2005)
* AeroVironment Raven RQ-11, reconnaissance (2005)
* CQ-10 Snowgoose, cargo (2005)
* Lockheed P-175 Polecat, research (2006)
* RQ-16 T-Hawk, reconnaissance (2006)
* Boeing Dominator, experimental (2007) -Persistent Munition Technology Demonstrator-
* Composite Engineering BQM-167 Streaker, In Development (2006)
* MQ-1C Warrior, air attack (2009)
* General Atomics Avenger – Reconnaissance, Attack (2009)