Aircraft mechanics Paul Rudolph and Schuyler Dunn replace a multispectural targeting system ball on an MQ-1B Predator July 9 at Ali Base, Iraq. Sabrina Johnson/US Air Force/Sipa Press/NewscomThe U.S. military already has plans in the works to grow its fleet of Predators and Reapers, the long-loitering, armed surveillance drones that have become a defining feature of the air war over Central Asia and the Middle East. Now, according to a draft version of the Pentagon’s new master strategy plan, the military wants to dramatically up the number of “orbits,” or air patrols, of the unmanned aircraft.
Courtesy of Inside Defense (subscription only), we’ve taken an early look at a “pre-decisional” copy of the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, due for release on Monday. According to that draft, the Department of Defense is “is on track” to field and sustain 50 drone orbits by Fiscal Year 2013. What’s more, the Pentagon “will continue to expand the force to at least 65 orbits by FY 15.”
My Comment: The draft QDR report reveals a continuation of the Pentagon's focus and determination to build up a significant and lethal drone fleet. My only point of contention with this draft report is in the number of drone orbits that are being forecast .... 65 orbits by FY 15.
In my opinion, I would not be surprised when the final report is released this Monday that we will see a number that will be greater than the 65 orbits being are quoted in this draft.
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