The demand for unmanned aerial systems
(UAS) has grown dramatically in the last decade to support combat
operations. In response to the increased demand for UAS, over the
last eight years the Air Force has more than quadrupled the number of
UAS pilots that it requires, from about 400 in 2008 to close to 1,650
in 2016. However, the Air Force has faced challenges meeting its UAS
pilot requirements. The Commanding General of the Air Force’s Air
Combat Command testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee’s
Subcommittee on Airland in March 2016 that the Air Force had a
shortage of about 200 UAS pilots. Meanwhile, the Army has faced a
different challenge in managing its UAS pilot workforce—keeping the
UAS pilots trained. A March 2015 Army review found that UAS mishaps
were occurring at a rate higher than for other types of Army aircraft
and Army officials stated that training shortfalls had contributed to
these mishaps.
In
April 2014, an Air Force investigation board found by clear and
convincing evidence that the cause of a MQ-1B Predator drone accident
was low-level wind shear during a critical phase of landing, and the
pilot's lack of training in landing operations. The MQ-1B impacted a
runway at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada.
The Air Force and the Army primarily
rely on military servicemembers to serve as UAS pilots, although both
services augment their UAS pilot workforce with contractors. In the
last two decades, Air Force and Army UAS platform capabilities and
missions have evolved.
For example, the Air Force initially
used the MQ-1 Predator to perform intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance missions before adding weapons to the Predator and
acquiring the MQ-9 Reaper, which can perform strikes, combat search
and rescue, and close air support, among other missions and tasks.
Source: Government Accountability Office
2 comments:
I assume the "pilots" for the unmanned airplanes are operating them from the ground. Can they also be directed from another airplane or a ship.
FIRST, LETS START USING A MORE APPROPRIATE TERM FOR THESE PEOPLE. THESE ARE "UAS OPERATORS". IF RUNNING LOW ON FUEL DOES NOT RAISE YOUR PULSE, YOU ARE NOT A PILOT. IF AN ENGINE FIRE WILL NOT UNDER ANY CONDITION, KILL YOU, YOU ARE NOT A PILOT. IF YOU ARE SITTING 5000 MILES FROM THE FLYING MACHINE YOU ARE OPERATING, YOU ARE NOT A PILOT. IF YOUR DESTINATION WEATHER IS OF LITTLE MORE CONCERN TO YOU THAT CREAM OR SUGAR IN YOUR COFFEE, YOU ARE NOT A PILOT. GET IT? THESE JOBS ARE IMPORTANT, BUT THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT PILOTS....THEY HAVE NO SKIN IN THE GAME. THEY ARE HIGHLY SKILLED VIDEO GAME PLAYERS....YES, PLAYERS!
Post a Comment