The Air Force’s military deputy for acquisition, Lt. Gen. Donald Hoffman, told a Washington industry symposium Tuesday that the Air Force is working to streamline operations for its unmanned aerial vehicles. Currently the Air Force has one UAV pilot console at Creech AFB, Nev., from which the pilot can handle four Predators at once. Hoffman said that for many missions, sensor operators rather than a pilot can handle simple tasks such as monitoring a site once a vehicle is on station. However, he added, if the mission calls for an airstrike, the pilot can take over easily. Hoffman explained that the capability for a single pilot to fly several UAVs is very important and now more possible as the Air Force expands facilities at Creech—the center for most Air Force UAV training and operations.
Top Lawmakers Want 15 Percent Pay Raise for Enlisted Troops
April 19, 2024
A new law introduced by Congress would raise the pay rate 15 percent for junior enlisted troops and seek improvements on a range of quality of life issues, such as pay and compensation, child care, housing, health care access, and military spouse employment.