The Influence of the MQ-1A Predator on Modern Warfare Essay Example for Free

The Influence of the MQ-1A Predator on Modern Warfare Essay The General Atomics MQ-1B Predator is a revolutionary unmanned aerial vehicle that has changed the very nature of warfare in the United States. The MQ-1 Predator drone was initially developed as a reconnaissance aircraft for the Central Intelligence Agency, designed to be a very light vehicle with a number of intelligent sensors to stealthily gather intelligence. However, since it’s development in the early 1990s, the Predator has undergone a number of variations and upgrades to take on a multitude of roles. Specifically, the United States Air Force describes the Predator as â€Å"uniquely qualified to conduct irregular warfare operations in support of Combatant Commander objectives†[1]. As public opinion continues to favor the value of every American soldier’s life, the MQ-1B Predator has had a profound impact on the United States Armed Forces. Though the concept of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles existed almost as soon as airplanes were developed, they were severely limited in their roles until the Vietnam War. By that time, the development of the â€Å"Lightning Bug† spy planes had been sufficiently developed for use in Vietnam and southern China. The Lightning Bug drones had numerous advantages, such as various countermeasure systems, a low cost, and little risk for the controlling crew[2]. The United States used the Lightning Bug drones on over a thousand missions during the Vietnam War, though some led to an emphasis on developing new UAV programs. The Lightning Bug employed a very basic control program, the first model developed operated on a timer, and would simply turn around after a certain amount of time had elapsed. Later models could be controlled by radio, though the drones had a short control range. The largest limitation of the Frisbee was that it could not take off or land independently; it was usually launched from a DC-130 Hercules and recovered by a helicopter after its parachute had been deployed. Despite these limitation, the Lightning Bug proved to concept of UAVs to the United States. By 1984, the Defense Advanced Research Projects contracted Leading Systems Incorporated of California to create an endurance UAV codenamed â€Å"Amber. † Amber was initially designed for photographic reconnaissance, electronic counter-intelligence operations, and could be used as a cruise missile. The first Amber drones were able to fly continuously for approximately 38 hours, and successfully completed long range test flights in 1987. During the late 1980s, Congress pressured the numerous UAV programs through funding cuts, though the Amber drone survived after being incorporated into the Joint Program Office for UAV development. By 1990 however, the Amber program was cut, likely due to the abrasive personality of its director, Abraham Karem[3]. Leading Systems faced financial difficulties after the failure of the Amber program, and was bought by General Atomics. At the time of its sale, Leading Systems was developing a variation of the Amber drone named the Gnat750, which was designed as a less expensive alternative. Though its wingspan was larger than the Amber, this enabled the Gnat to weigh less but carry a larger payload. The Gnat also had an extremely long range, with an endurance of 48 or more hours. The Gnat also featured a GPS system for independent flight, as well as a configurable sensor package that could be customized for various missions[4]. In the early 1990s, the CIA order multiple Gnat 750s to gather intelligence on the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Though the Gnat was successful on its missions, software glitches caused at least one crash and the drone was discovered to be susceptible to rough weather. The Gnat was considered a success for its configurability and endurance, and General Atomics resolved to develop a new UAV. General Atomics was awarded a contract to build the RQ-1A Predator in January 1994. The Predator’s design is similar to that of the Gnat 750, with a aerodynamic fuselage with low mounted wings. The Predator is also much larger than the Gnat, with a wingspan of 55 feet and a length of 27 feet[5]. The Predator featured a sensor â€Å"turret† underneath the nose of the aircraft which enabled Infrared and Electro-Optical imaging, a laser designator was added to later models. The Predator also includes a number of datalink antennas that enables it to be controlled from the ground by line of sight radio transmission or satellite link. The antennas also allows the Predator to upload information to various other battlefield units, such as aircraft or naval vessels. This allows the Armed Forces to obtain real time intelligence on the battlefield as long as the Predator can remain in the area. The Predator can be flown by remote control from a mounted camera, or will otherwise fly in a preprogrammed path via a mounted GPS system. The range of the Predator drone is also very large, â€Å"If a Predator were flown out of San Francisco, it would be able to operate into Nevada, southern Oregon, or northwestern Mexico and monitor a 185 x 185 kilometer (115 x 115 mile) grid†[6]. The Predator first saw service over Bosnia in 1995 with the CIA; one aircraft was destroyed by the mission commander after an engine failure and another was shot down. These initial drones were handed over to the Air Force and used in numerous campaigns. In early missions, the Predator’s primary role was to designate targets for other aircraft, though inexperienced pilots often could not get support to an area quickly enough to make a difference. It was quickly decided that Predator drones would need offensive capabilities in case it needed to engage a target itself, and many were quickly outfitted with a pair of Hellfire anti-armor missiles. After successful testing, one officer in the Air Force stated that â€Å"The effectiveness was a relief nobody was quite sure that firing a Hellfire from a Predator wouldnt rip the UAVs wing right off†[7]. The newly armed Predator drones were quickly put into service with the new designation of MQ-1A. According to the US Air Force website, M is the Department of Defense designation for multi-role, while Q is designated to all UAVs. Finally, the 1 and A show that the Predator was the first modern series of UAVs widely developed by the Air Force. The widespread use of the MQ-1A Predators and its variations are attributable to successful attributes of the previous UAV programs. Like the original Lightning Bug drones, the Predator is relatively inexpensive and enjoys a long endurance time. The Predator is also able to independently take off and land like the Amber drone, and has a unique design and a customizable sensor platform like the Gnat 750. All of these aspects allow the Predator drone to be highly adaptable to numerous mission types, all while putting no lives at risk and remaining cost efficient. Many pieces of modern military equipment, especially those with the modern sensor and weapons equipment found in the Predator platform, cost encormous amounts of money. However, as of 2009 a complete Predator drone package costs only $20 million. This includes four MQ-1A Predator drones, a ground control station, and a Predator Primary Satellite Link. The cost of maintaining the Predator fleet is also relatively low, operating and sustaining 195 MQ-1 Predators in 2010 cost the United States $2. 38 billion. In comparison, one F-15 Strike Eagle costs the Air Force approximately $100 million. The ground control station of a Predator unit is highly customizable, but a standard station is designed to fit into the body of a C-130 Hercules aircraft. During operation, one operator controls a Predators flight path and movements, while another monitor’s the drone’s equipment, including sensors and weapons. A commander will always be present in a ground control station to supervise the Predator unit. As the Predator was designed to be adaptable and upgradable, many variations and enhanced version of the Predator exist. In 2001, General Atomics created proof of concept UAV then called the Predator-B. The Predator-B featured a more efficient engine that was also less prone to malfunction, a longer wingspan, and a hardened design. This allowed the Predator-B to fly as high as 52,000 feet, above any potentially dangerous weather. By 2004, the Air Force had need of a UAV with more offensive capabilities, and the Predator-B was selected to take on this role. Renamed the MQ-9B Hunter Killer or MQ-9B Reaper, this drone has become the main UAV of the United States Armed Forces. The MQ-9B Reaper has an improved targeting system for identification and weapons targeting, an increased weight capacity for munitions or fuel, and an endurance time of over 42 hours. [9] The Reaper is not meant to replace the Predator drone however, instead it is used in more offensive mission, as it can be fitted with â€Å"twin 225 kilogram guided bombs, eight Hellfires, and two Sidewinder [missiles]†[10]. The original MQ-1A Predator is used for missions that only require surveillance or light armament. A third major variation of the Predator drone, the Predator-C, is under development as a stealth UAV. With a more streamlined design, the Predator-C is intended to offer offensive and surveillance capabilities, and models have been designed for deployment on aircraft carriers. Though development is ongoing, the United States Navy and Air Force have both ordered Predator-Cs. As the MQ-1A Predator is so adaptable and cost-efficient, it has had a major impact on numerous operations since its introduction. In 2000, the Predators were undergoing a trial run in Afghanistan by search for majoring terrorist leaders, including Osama Bin Laden. On at least two occasions in September of 2000, the Predators identified a tall man wearing white robes in Kandahar, Afghanistan that the 9/11 Commission Report states was â€Å"probably Bin Laden. †[11] However, these events occurred before the Predators were outfitted with offensive capabilities. On March 4, 2002, also in Afghanistan, a Predator drone destroyed a fortified Taliban bunker that had pinned down an Army Ranger team during the Battle of Robert’s Ridge. F-15 and F-16 fighters were previously scrambled to destroy the bunker, but were unsuccessful. Additionally, two of the twenty-two terrorists on the FBI’s most wanted list have been killed by Predator drones, Mohammed Atef and Fahid Mohammed Ally Msalam, both participants in the 1998 US Embassy bombings. The Predator was also been extremely effective in operations in Iraq. Between July 2005 and June 2006, Predator drones â€Å"participated in more than 242 separate raids; engaged 132 troops in contact-force protection actions; fired 59 Hellfire missiles; surveyed 18,490 targets; escorted four convoys; and flew 2,073 sorties for more than 33,833 flying hours. [13] Due to the success and variability of the entire Predator series, the platform is currently under consideration for many non-military roles. The Federal Aviation Administration recently authorized both the Predator and Reaper drones for domestic use in searching for the victims of disasters; the advance imaging equipment in the drones could be used to located survivors that would otherwise remain lost, and the drones are capable of remaining in flight much longer than ordinary rescue teams. 14] The US Border Patrol also utilizes Predator drones to maintain the US-Mexico border, and NASA uses the drones for high altitude scientific study. As the culmination of UAV technology and development, the MQ-1A Predator drone and its variations have had a lasting and revolutionary impact both on and off the battlefield. As the United States moves continues to move into the 21st century, the Predator drone enables long range surveillance and offensive capabilities without endangering the lives of soldiers, all while remaining extremely cost efficient. The applications of the Predator drone are nearly limitless as it has been an overwhelming success in nearly every deployment it has seen. By utilizing the technological advantages that the Predator drone offers, the United States Armed Forces will continue its missions without putting more servicemen or women at risk.