With this kind of terrain, It may be a lot easier and safer to drop them in place by chopper...You'd probably like to end up in the same valley as your group - particularly when it's a small Task Force Unit...y'think? ;o)
Posted on 11/08/2007 3:59:59 PM PST by SandRat
11/8/2007 - SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) -- The MQ-9A Reaper demonstrated it's unique precision strike capability as a hunter-killer attack platform by dropping its first precision-guided bomb Nov. 7.
"The beauty of the MQ-9 Reaper is that we're able to synchronize and integrate unmanned aerial attack platforms over the skies of Afghanistan, allowing us to persistently and consistently track the enemy and ensure that we place the appropriate ordnance on target when required, and maintain that persistent presence after weapons release," said Lt. Gen. Gary North, U.S. Central Command Air Forces commander.
The Reaper, the Air Force's unmanned aerial attack vehicle, was operating over the Sangin region of Afghanistan on the hunt for enemy activity when the crew received a request for assistance from a joint terminal attack controller on the ground. Friendly forces were taking fire from enemy combatants. The JTAC provided targeting data to the pilot and sensor operator, who fly the aircraft remotely from Creech Air Force Base, Nev. The pilot released two GBU-12 500-pound laser-guided bombs, destroying the target and eliminating the enemy fighters.
The ability to carry bombs, in addition to AGM-114K Hellfire missiles, is just one of the features that set the Reaper apart from its smaller brother the MQ-1 Predator.
"The MQ-9 gives us an incredible addition to the arsenal," General North said. "It's larger, carries an increased payload and is able to fly longer, higher and faster. It's an incredible addition to our attack capability in the CENTAF force lay-down."
The Reaper has flown 49 combat sorties since it first began operating in Afghanistan Sept. 25. It completed its first combat strike Oct. 27, when it fired a Hellfire missile over Deh Rawod, Afghanistan, neutralizing enemy combatants.
Great pics man!
With this kind of terrain, It may be a lot easier and safer to drop them in place by chopper...You'd probably like to end up in the same valley as your group - particularly when it's a small Task Force Unit...y'think? ;o)
Perhaps Musharraf is trying to negotiate a monthly rental contract on these birds right now...
Making them Non-combat effectives...?
Awesome pictures....Does the Reaper carry loudspeakers as well? I was thinking after it blasts a Taliban pcikup truck or trench line full of Talis, it could make a pass overhead playing Blue Oyster Cult’s ‘Don’t Fear the Reaper’...Always been a favorite of mine and I am sure Mullah Omar and the gang would love it too.
What, they're still in LRIP? I guess the current systems are undergoing OT in Afghanistan...
Frick’n sweet!
These things are amazing.
Money well spent. :)
Now cut the funding to the gazillion dollars we throw down a rat hole to social services each year and buy us a whole d@mn hanger full of those puppies!
‘Peace Through Superior Firepower’ ain’t just a bumper sticker, Baby! :)
Sarge - are those Sidewinders on the outboard pylons? This bad boy has air-to-air capability, too?
Dude - that’s kewl!!
I’m just waiting for someone to paint some little windows and UNITED on the sides.
I sure hope so! Or even better - that we have them flying up and down the border valleys
I am not positive about the ordnance - Hellfires are up there, for certain, but beyond that...
Now cut the funding to the gazillion dollars we throw down a rat hole to social services each year and buy us a whole d@mn hanger full of those puppies!
‘Peace Through Superior Firepower’ ain’t just a bumper sticker, Baby! :)
Agreed on all counts :-)
And of course we can't forget the T-shirts :-)
Shoulda named it Azrael...
Those UAV's are nice and big, aren't they :-)
"All the better to carry more weapons to immolate your islamofascist azz, dearie" said the Reaper to Muhammed.
I'd vote for Hillary's cackle, or Wagner's "Flight of the Valkyrie" in a delicious tip of the hat to "Apocalypse Now".
No.
That's just disgusting...
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