ADVERTISEMENT

The Hot Commodity—UAVs:

Feb. 7, 2006

The Air Force has big plans for its unmanned aerial vehicle force. According to Maj. Gen. Frank Faykes, the Air Force 2007 budget proposal contains $752 million for procurement and RDT&E for six Global Hawk UAVs and three ground stations in 2007 and requests $64 million to procure another seven air vehicles in 2008. USAF plans to phase out its high-flying U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, as its Global Hawk RQ-4 fleet grows. Faykes said the service also would increase the size and capability of its Predator UAV fleet. The 2007 budget proposal includes $349 million to procure 24 additional MQ-1 Predator A model aircraft and two of the larger MQ-9 Predator B variants. USAF plans to establish three Air National Guard and one Air Force Special Operations Command Predator squadrons in 2007.

Related Content

Kadena Sends ‘Message You Can’t Ignore’ with Huge Elephant Walk

May 9, 2025
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…

New Study: Air Force Needs to Work Now on How to Sustain CCAs in the Field

May 8, 2025
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.

SPACECOM Wants to Be Dynamic in Orbit. The Question Is How

May 8, 2025
U.S. Space Command is still passionate about the idea of being able to maneuver satellites in orbits without worrying about conserving fuel. But how exactly to achieve that remains unsettled as the combatant command works with the Pentagon’s acquisition enterprise, SPACECOM’s deputy commander said. 

Pentagon Opening the Throttle on New Rules for Software 

May 8, 2025
The Department of Defense is pushing ahead with a plan to automate and streamline the system it uses to ensure that software running on military networks is secure, and will start implementation next month, acting Chief Information Officer Katie Arrington said May 7. 

New B-52 Radar Program Has Nunn-McCurdy Cost Breach, May Be Reduced in Scope

May 8, 2025
The B-52 Radar Modernization Program has incurred a Nunn-McCurdy breach, with a cost estimate increase of more than 15 percent, the Air Force said. A breach of that magnitude won’t require the Secretary of Defense to certify the program as critical to national defense, but the program may be reduced…

What the Supreme Court’s Transgender Ban Really Means

May 7, 2025
The Supreme Court's May 6 decision to grant the Trump administration's request to block a lower court's injunction means the Defense Department can resume separating transgender service members under a directive issued in February.