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Robot air attack squadron bound for Iraq
Yahoo ^

Posted on 07/15/2007 11:32:19 AM PDT by Sub-Driver

Robot air attack squadron bound for Iraq

By CHARLES J. HANLEY, AP Special Correspondent 30 minutes ago

The airplane is the size of a jet fighter, powered by a turboprop engine, able to fly at 300 mph and reach 50,000 feet. It's outfitted with infrared, laser and radar targeting, and with a ton and a half of guided bombs and missiles.

The Reaper is loaded, but there's no one on board. Its pilot, as it bombs targets in Iraq, will sit at a video console 7,000 miles away in Nevada.

The arrival of these outsized U.S. "hunter-killer" drones, in aviation history's first robot attack squadron, will be a watershed moment even in an Iraq that has seen too many innovative ways to hunt and kill.

That moment, one the Air Force will likely low-key, is expected "soon," says the regional U.S. air commander. How soon? "We're still working that," Lt. Gen. Gary North said in an interview.

The Reaper's first combat deployment is expected in Afghanistan, and senior Air Force officers estimate it will land in Iraq sometime between this fall and next spring. They look forward to it.

"With more Reapers, I could send manned airplanes home," North said.

The Associated Press has learned that the Air Force is building a 400,000-square-foot expansion of the concrete ramp area now used for Predator drones here at Balad, the biggest U.S. air base in Iraq, 50 miles north of Baghdad. That new staging area could be turned over to Reapers.

It's another sign that the Air Force is planning for an extended stay in Iraq, supporting Iraqi government forces in any continuing conflict, even if U.S. ground troops are drawn down in the coming years.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: aviation; miltech; reaper; thereaper; uav; ucav; whisperingdeath
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To: Sub-Driver

The skies over Iraq should be covered with these weapons.

Damn the cost.


21 posted on 07/15/2007 12:17:34 PM PDT by vietvet67
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To: Mariner

They will be closing shop as they have been informed there’ll be NO NEW manned combat aircraft.


That may be true. But I don’t think I like it.


22 posted on 07/15/2007 12:20:48 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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To: Mariner
You have called the ball here.
The Raptors and the JSF will be the very last maned fighters we build.
It is just soo much cheaper to build the robots and have our guys and gals sitting in an office complex somewhere making the rubble bounce and then getting in their cars and going home for a cold beer.
23 posted on 07/15/2007 12:21:59 PM PDT by SSR1
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To: Sub-Driver
The Reaper is loaded, but there's no one on board. Its pilot, as it bombs targets in Iraq, will sit at a video console 7,000 miles away in Nevada.

My kid will be piloting it on non-shool nights until his bedtime.


24 posted on 07/15/2007 12:22:13 PM PDT by Polybius
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To: magslinger
I think pig squeals at ear-splitting volume, say 12, would be much funnier!
25 posted on 07/15/2007 12:22:52 PM PDT by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra ("Don't touch that thing")
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To: SSR1
At volume production, we can put 10 of these in the air for the cost of a JSF.

Pilot training is also 1/10th the cost.

It's a no-brainer.

26 posted on 07/15/2007 12:25:55 PM PDT by Mariner
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To: Southack

You might be interested in this heartwarming article.


27 posted on 07/15/2007 12:29:32 PM PDT by denydenydeny (Expel the priest and you don't inaugurate the age of reason, you get the witch doctor--Paul Johnson)
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To: Grizzled Bear
That may be true. But I don’t think I like it.

I concur. While there is a lot to be said for not endangering pilots by having them physically present in unfriendly skies, and it does work well against Muslims, I'd still be concerned with the possibility of hacking with a more technologically astute enemy.

28 posted on 07/15/2007 12:32:07 PM PDT by magslinger (Be wary of strong drink. It can make you shoot at tax collectors. And miss. R.A.Heinlein)
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The song from the old cartoon “Gigantor” is running through my head.
29 posted on 07/15/2007 12:37:01 PM PDT by 4yearlurker (Liberals, A terrorists best friend!)
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To: Mariner
Plus 15 or 20-G turns in air combat or to evade a SAM are a lot easier when the pilot isn't there to complain that his neck just snapped.
30 posted on 07/15/2007 12:48:15 PM PDT by KarlInOhio (May the heirs of Charles Martel and Jan Sobieski rise up again to defend Europe.)
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To: wastedyears

Hippies Hate Slayer!!!


31 posted on 07/15/2007 12:58:06 PM PDT by BBell
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To: Sub-Driver

I’m sure this has upset both old and young pilots of all the services.


32 posted on 07/15/2007 1:00:57 PM PDT by BBell
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To: Sub-Driver

reference


33 posted on 07/15/2007 1:27:03 PM PDT by tlj18 (There's soldiers - and then there are soldiers. Many may be the former - but don't let it be you!!!)
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To: Sub-Driver
This thread is worthless
without my pic!

34 posted on 07/15/2007 1:32:57 PM PDT by Hoplite
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To: Sub-Driver; Levante; CindyDawg; Jeff Head; SSR1
Want to see inside the "Flight Deck" trailor while actual mission(s) are flown ??

AOPA Special Video - UAV's Beyond the Border

It's not your fathers R/C airplane!!!

Credit: Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (Current issue AOPA Pilot magazine)

35 posted on 07/15/2007 1:42:40 PM PDT by GoldCountryRedneck ("Flying is like Life: Know where you are, where you're going, and how to get there." - 'Ol Dad)
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To: GoldCountryRedneck

Not for 39 dollars:’)


36 posted on 07/15/2007 1:46:44 PM PDT by CindyDawg
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To: CindyDawg

uh oh........the login page show up?????


37 posted on 07/15/2007 1:50:32 PM PDT by GoldCountryRedneck ("Flying is like Life: Know where you are, where you're going, and how to get there." - 'Ol Dad)
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To: wastedyears

Megadeth.


38 posted on 07/15/2007 2:37:37 PM PDT by manic4organic (Send a care package through USO today.)
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To: Sub-Driver

Reaper -- with ordnance onboard...

39 posted on 07/15/2007 2:39:09 PM PDT by TXnMA ("Allah": Satan's current alias...)
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To: wastedyears
What kinda music? Slayer?

I think we should show them no mercy whatsoever: Give em' the Time-Life Disco Collection!

40 posted on 07/15/2007 2:45:27 PM PDT by GreenHornet
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