The Air Force has sent its first production Global Hawk UAVs to Southwest Asia. Previously, the service employed development models of the high-flying reconnaissance aircraft for operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. USAF contracted for only nine production RQ-4A vehicles, which have enhanced sensors over the development aircraft. The Air Force has already awarded a production contract for the new, larger RQ-4Bs, which can carry twice the sensor payload of the A model.
The Air Force could conduct an operation like Israel's successful air campaign against Iran's nuclear sites, military leadership and air defenses, but readiness issues would make it risky, airpower experts said. Limited spare parts and training, low mission capable rates and few flying hours would put a drag on USAF's…