Non-Officers Will Be Accepted Into Training Program To Fly RQ-4 Global Hawks

Facing a shorting of UAS operators, the U.S. Air Force is shifting its policy of only allowing officers to become unmanned system pilots.

As of this year (2016), the Air Force is opening training for RQ-4 Global Hawk operations to enlisted personnel, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal relayed by engadget.com. The move is designed to bolster the number of qualified operators in the service, allowing for more daily combat air patrols while dealing with reduced budgets. It could also provide a morale boost among the enlisted personnel selected for the      training.

Other branches of the service already allow enlisted personnel to operate their unmanned aircraft, and there is a concern that the move will diminish the "prestige" of flying in the USAF.

The Global Hawks will be among the largest to be flown by enlisted ranks in any of the services.

Recently, long shifts flying UAVs has led to reports of burnout on the part of the operators, and the Air Force hopes that adding additional people will help it with retention as well.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.af.mil