Oh Goody! Faster, deadlier pilotless plane bound for Afghanistan

[unhappycamper]

Faster, deadlier pilotless plane bound for Afghanistan
By Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY


CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — The Air Force this fall will deploy a new generation of pilotless airplane with the bombing power of an F-16 to help stop the stubborn Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.

The Reaper is an upgraded version of the Predator, which has become one of the military's most sought-after planes since it first appeared in Afghanistan in 2001. The Reaper can fly three times as fast as a Predator and carry eight times more weaponry, such as Hellfire missiles, the Air Force said.

The Reaper's greater range and speed make it better suited than the Predator to Afghanistan with its vast, rugged terrain. The Reaper will also be deployed to Iraq. Its speed and arms will let it track and kill moving targets able to elude a Predator, said Brig. Gen. James Poss, director of intelligence for Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, Va.

Air Force officials cite the June 2006 killing of al-Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was tracked by a Predator but ultimately killed by bombs dropped by an F-16. The Reaper "is ideal for that type of target," said Lt. Col. Gregory Christ, director of staff at Creech.

Despite the Predator's success, field commanders wanted a faster, more lethal alternative, said Col. Charles Bartlett, leader of the Air Force's unmanned aircraft task force.

Such demand has prompted the Air Force to rush to train operators and crews. In 2003, the Air Force trained fewer than 40 Predator operators. In 2008, that will soar to 160. It has trained 10 Reaper operators this year, and expects to train 19 more in 2008.


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[RebelOne]

1. I am sure that my cousin had something to do with the design of this plane.

He is chief engineer for the Predator program.

[MADem]

2. Well, they have robot soldiers too!! It looks like a big toy bulldozer with a machine gun

welded to it...seriously!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6852832/

[Squatch]

3. Sweet.

UCAVs fill an important niche. Having ordnance constantly on station at a very low cost, in terms of fiscal or human capital.

[Rick Myers]

6. Agreed!

Always better to use a UAV than risk a pilot's life when possible.

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. What I don't understand re: National Security and release of all sorts of info

that is leading up to the (possible) pre-emptive strike on Iran.

The term, "National Security" is used (cried...screamed!) over and over again to cover up the illegal things this administration is doing, yet there are daily several media stories about striking Iran, new weaponry, such as this pilotless stealth bomber, and a general thumbing of the Neocon nose at other nations, and more. And, it's all information one would expect to actually be kept as classified.

Are we being set up by these Neocon thugs to invite another attack on US soil? Lately, at any one time, it's revealed where ships and troops are going, but no one can seem to get to the bottom of the lies regarding the erosion of our democracy and government here at home.

It may be that I really DO understand by taking the view that BushCo/PNAC could give a rat's ass about US citizens, our troops or our nation as a whole. But, I find it very disturbing that what SHOULD be something under wraps, is just so out there in the daily news dump.

Placing all this type of information for public purview is disingenuous at the least, and at the most, traitorous.

(re: Above final sentence: Please don't misunderstand me. Am glad to know there is information that reveals what is going on with the fascists at the helm of our nation. We need to know at least some of what is actually going on, albeit just the small pieces of the larger puzzle for us to put together. I think mostly am just so damn frustrated and angry. I want my country back :cry: )

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Oh, goody! More civilian casualties headed to morgue.

"Reaper" indeed. Someone should run these names by Public Relations before releasing them.

[soothsayer]

7. c'mon, baby, don't fear the reaper