The Air Force formally announced Wednesday that it had shifted 21 MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicles from Air Combat Command to Air Force Special Operations Command at the end of May. And, the service plans to give AFSOC another seven later this month, making a total of 28 for the air commandos’ 3rd Special Operations Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nev. The shift last month also gave the 3rd SOS some ACC personnel. AFSOC activated the new squadron in fall 2005.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.