Fri, Nov 09, 2007
Begins Operations Over Afghanistan
The Royal Air Force's first Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle,
Britain's most sophisticated unmanned surveillance system, has
taken to the air in Afghanistan -- one month after the first USAF
Reaper entered operational service.
The Reaper UAVs were purchased as a Ministry of Defense urgent
operational requirement to provide an all-weather, persistent
Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance
(ISTAR) capability 24 hours a day over a wide geographical
spread.
The rapid and successful deployment of Reaper, 15 months from
requirement to delivery to theater, demonstrates the flexibility
and agility of MoD's procurement process for equipment for
operations. The first of three British Reapers arrived in
Afghanistan in early October.
"The introduction into service of Reaper is a major milestone
for the RAF, which will significantly enhance the UK's surveillance
and reconnaissance capability in Afghanistan," said Sir Glenn
Torpy, Chief of the Air Staff.
MoD adds the RAF's participation in the joint US/UK Combined
Predator Task Force gave them a unique insight into the USAF (US
Air Force) Predator A operations, which allowed a seamless
transition to the RAF's use of Reaper, the UK variant of Predator
B.
"We're pleased to be able to deliver these aircraft so quickly
because they're vital to the coalition's war effort in Afghanistan.
They're also yet another demonstration of the need for
interoperability in our equipment," said USAF Chief of Staff,
General Michael T. Moseley. "By partnering on the Reaper, our air
forces can operate more seamlessly and field more aircraft faster
and more economically."
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