the army actually has several types of uavs, one of which is strikingly similar to a predator.

MQ-1C Warrior - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

SWEET! Who is the Army is flying these?

USMCFLYR

I don't think so. From the site you referenced: "..The Army intends to procure 11 Warrior systems, each of these units has 12 UAVs and 5 ground control stations. With an expected total program cost of $1 billion, the aircraft is expected to become operational in 2009."

Given the cost of the program and the increased capabilities, any bets on whether the Army uses qualified rotary or fixed-wing pilots vs. regular ground troops?

I'm with LivinInMem. Having flown combat missions in Iraq and Afganistan, the most difficult piece of the puzzle was ensuring you were putting ordinance on the right spot, especially w/ CAS which has been 99.9999% of the missions since the first few nights of OEF and OIF.

I think we all knew this day was coming when unmanned aircraft would start "fighting" in combat. The future really snuck up on us.

I think I remember the AF doing a test case where they used about 10 washouts from UPT and put them through UAV training. It was a failure. I don't think we should send guys right out of UPT to fly UAV's though. Either come up with another track that is designed for UAV's or let them get a tour under their belt.

It sounds to me like experienced fighter pilots have the right skill sets to tackle the UAV mission 100%. They'll get my vote any day.

dude, that wiki data is old, but unclass proof of its existance. i have been to iraq as an alo on the ground. i know what the army has and their capes. if you believe that all the army has or all they use is a tiny backpack launced rc airplane, you are wrong!

in addition, i once listened to 2 pimple nosed 18 yr olds talk about their job flying uavs while waiting in the laundry line.

real funny man, i can appreciate the humor. you're probably right, but you wont find enough who wish to make it their permanent mws. the way i see it, since the upt commitment is 10yrs now, afpc should just send guys after their first tour b/c they cant 7 day opt it. for the leadership side, you'll get enough volunteers. and then theres the handful of guys who get medically dq'd or claim back/neck problems from pulling g's. send those guys, let them keep their flight pay. problem solved.

The only thing worse than putting up with a nav would be putting up with the intel weenie telling you where to go and how to get there.

Talk about Pilot Hell.

True... but they are flown by Contractors... who are rated pilots.