According to The Huntsville Times, the Army is still fighting centralized management of unmanned aerial vehicles. However, this time around, the Joint Requirements Oversight Council appears to have sided with the Air Force—at least somewhat. The JROC reportedly agrees that the Air Force should take point for higher-flying UAVs, but it wants to set up joint program offices. Still to come, though, is a decision on combat operational control. The Air Force wants medium to high altitude UAVs under the control of the joint air boss. And, late last month, the Government Accountability Office indicated that US Central Command deems that a “critical factor,” as well.
Less than a day after arriving in the Middle East, F-15E Strike Eagles from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. defended Israel from an Iranian attack in April 2024. DUDE flight, four F-15Es from the 335th Fighter Squadron, downed two dozen Iranian drones in roughly 45 minutes.