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."

FMI: www.mod.uk