Two critical problems with the current unmanned aerial vehicle situation has prompted the Air Force to take the “bold step” of suggesting it become the executive agent for medium and high altitude UAVs, writes Robert Dudney, Editor in Chief of Air Force Magazine. The two problems are (1) tethering UAVs to individual units “limits distribution of ISR data and restricts highest and best use of each UAV;” and (2) “the decentralized, unsynchronized approach to UAVs is inefficient, in both time and money.” Unfortunately, the other services—particularly vocal is the Army—do not agree with a centralized approach. Dudney argues: “In truth, no other service can match USAF’s credentials. It suffered a slow start in UAVs, but now has established itself as a leader.”
The Department of the Air Force has selected Patrick Space Force Base, Fla., as the preferred location for Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) headquarters—and hopes to start moving in by fall of next year.