Gen. Tom Hobbins is sold on unmanned aerial vehicles, telling NATO representatives of the phenomenal growth in the number and capability of UAVs. He called the advance of UAVs into the information age “perfect timing,” turning unmanned systems into “a powerful force multiplier.” Speaking at the Multinational Joint Air Power Competence Center Oct. 18, the US Air Forces in Europe commander noted that more than 40 countries operate more than 80 types of UAVs. The US itself, he said, has 18 types and 3,000 vehicles. Hobbins said that six years ago, UAVs represented just four percent of aircraft dollars, but by 2010 they should account for 31 percent. Fueling this rapid expansion, said Hobbins, is the range of missions now slated for UAVs—from traditional reconnaissance and surveillance to 36 nontraditional applications, including strike.
A Golden Dome task force established under U.S. Northern Command earlier this year has a broad remit, which includes fielding the capability to defend the U.S. against missile and drone attacks, its leaders said this week. Some of the primary focuses right now are ensuring Golden Dome can defend itself…