UAV base in western Iraq

Sky News website ^ | 03.24.03 | Sky News

[Herodotus]

SECRET DESERT AIRSTRIP

US army engineers have built a secret new airstrip in central Iraq to carry out aerial spying missions.

The half-mile strip was fashioned from a patch of bumpy desert and scrub using giant earthmoving equipment and heavy rollers.

At an unknown location, it will allow unmanned spy planes to patrol the skies around Baghdad and gather information for an assault.

The remote-controlled UAVs will provide US military commanders with essential details on Iraqi force sizes, capabilities and movements.

They are particularly keen to learn more about the Medina division of the Republican Guard.

With around 120 tanks and up to 20,000 men in three brigades, the Medina is a substantial force, according to US military intelligence.

It is currently believed to be holding positions about 50m directly south of Baghdad.

US military intelligence officers have repeatedly visited the site in the past 24 hours to check on developments.

Test flights are expected shortly.

[MHGinTN]

Yup, mobile, active anti-armor landmines in the sky.

[Herodotus]

My understanding is that they UCAVs are armed with Hellfire missiles, which I believe are capable of penetrating the armor of a T-72 from above.

[MindBender26]

A Hellfire can take out a tank anywhere. Top, turret-hull ring, rear are all exceptionally good areas. Even a suspension system hit is a "mobility kill" because a tank that can't move is a dead tank.

[ironman]

We've read a lot about the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marine EF. Where is the rest of V Corp? Care to speculate if the 101st will lifted and dropped north of Baghdad? I think most of the 82nd is in Afgahnistan.

[Herodotus]

I'm not too sure though that the Air Force/SF would want to waste their time using the UCAVs against Iraqi armored formations just yet when the A-10s and Apaches are just as good at doing that and have more armaments.

Probably we're using this for extreme long range spotting?

[SauronOfMordor]

I think the behavior of the Turks will make the 101st needed more in the North

[SauronOfMordor]

I'm not too sure though that the Air Force/SF would want to waste their time using the UCAVs against Iraqi armored formations just yet when the A-10s and Apaches are just as good at doing that and have more armaments.

In an environment with lots of dug-in AAA, I think the Apache drivers would prefer to let the Predators do the inital wave, targeting AAA and SAM sites particularly

[SauronOfMordor]

Hail of Gunfire and Grenades Forces Apaches to Pull Back

[Herodotus]

Oooh the history accounts of this are going to be interesting to say the least. Esp. if we turn this into a dramatic unmanned fight...a real transformation of warfare.

[capydick]

It's obviously a pork-barrel project intended to appease the local union there.

[SauronOfMordor]

It's started: Predator UAV Employed to attack air defenses