Page 12 - Desert Lightning 5-22-15
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12 May 21, 2015 Desert Lightning News
Dispelling remotely piloted aircraft myths
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Myth: There is no demand from combatant com- Fact: For every RPA combat air patrol there are
manders for RPA capability nearly 200 people supporting the mission in various
WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Public interest in capacities. This includes mission intelligence person-
remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) continues to grow Fact: Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance nel; aircraft and communications maintainers; launch
thanks to increasing non-military uses and portrayal (ISR) missions continue to be the number one most and recovery element personnel; and intelligence per-
in popular culture. For the Air Force, remotely piloted requested capability of combatant commanders at sonnel conducting production, exploitation, and dis-
aircraft are and will continue to be a vital mission set multiple locations throughout the world. RPAs are in semination operations.
delivering vital airpower to combatant commanders demand and Air Force RPAs operate on a 24/7 basis.
throughout the world. Thru December 2014, the Air Force has flown MQ- Myth: RPAs only conduct ISR
1B Predators and MQ-9 Reapers more than 2,208,985 Fact: MQ-1Bs and MQ-9s are multi-role aircraft
While the demands placed upon the Airmen hours (RQ-4 Global Hawk/MQ-1 equals 1,661,887 capable of conducting several mission sets beyond
charged with this mission are becoming better known, hours and MQ-9 equals 547,978). ISR. They perform numerous additional tasks to in-
there are still myths strongly associated with this mis- clude support to combat search and rescue, dynamic
sion. Here’s some “fact and fiction” about the very in- Myth: RPAs do not have to comply with Federal targeting, close air support, air interdiction, and strike
demand world of RPA operations. Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements coordination and reconnaissance. The Predator and
Reaper are unique, as they also provide precision-
Myth: Because they are unmanned, RPAs are less Fact: RPA training flights within the U.S. are con- strike missions against carefully chosen targets, mini-
safe than manned aircraft ducted under federal authorities granted to the service mizing risk of collateral damage.
to train pilots and crew members preparing for real- Myth: Conducting an RPA mission is like playing a
Fact: For every RPA, there is a pilot with a crew in world missions. This includes all Air Force pilots being video game
continuous control of the aircraft, ensuring not only trained to FAA instrument rating requirements. These Fact: New pilots of RPAs undertake a very intense
operational precision but complete ground and flying missions are flown in accordance with federal law, ex- training program before they fly operational missions,
safety. Air Force RPAs have safety rates comparable ecutive orders, and Defense Department and Air Force making it the furthest thing from picking up a control-
to our manned aircraft. RPA systems have been get- instructions that balance the need for operational readi- ler and playing a video game. This training curriculum
ting safer as aircraft and communication technology ness with protection of personal privacy. Unmanned lasts approximately one year, and many current Air
and the institutional experience of operators mature. aircraft that operate within the national airspace system Force RPA pilots and trainers have already completed
Historically, even during periods when there was an are held to the same level of procedures and compli- undergraduate pilot training in manned aircraft as well.
immediate requirement for extensive RPA operations ance, or higher, than manned aircraft.
in demanding operational environments, the mishap
rate decreased over the long term. Myth: To achieve the RPA mission it only requires
a crew of two - pilot and sensor operator
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