L.A. Times: Air Force proposes $3-billion plan to vastly expand its drone program
The Air Force wants to vastly expand its drone program over the next five years by doubling the number of pilots and deploying them to bases in California and elsewhere to give commanders better intelligence and more firepower.
The $3-billion plan, which must be approved by Congress, was unveiled Thursday after months of study that focused on a drone pilot force that commanders have described as overworked, undermanned and underappreciated.
The proposed expansion comes as the Pentagon has intensified airstrikes on Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria. Pilots and crews who operate the MQ-1 Predators and MQ-9 Reapers have struggled to meet a rising demand for aerial surveillance of war zones and other hot spots.
Update: Air Force to Strengthen Drone Program by 3,000 Airmen, New Bases (US News and World Report)
WNU Editor: The US Air Force is going to get the money to expand their drone fleet .... and do not be surprise if next year they go to Congress and ask for even more.
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