Remotely piloted aircraft are more responsive in flight thanks to a new ground data terminal installed at Air Combat Command’s RPA schoolhouse at Holloman AFB, N.M. The GDT “sends a signal to and from the ground control station and is what allows the pilots to control the RPAs,” said SrA. Mark Murray, 849th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron communications technician. Replacing Holloman’s copper-wired unit with a new fiber-optic terminal effectively cuts lag time between controls input and aircraft response by as much as four seconds, said SMSgt. David Wade, 849th AMXS communications boss. “Before, the RPA flying capability was somewhat limited,” he noted. To meet combat demand, “we are expanding our infrastructure to facilitate growth in the output of aircrews for RPA platforms” by 30 percent to 40 percent, explained Wade. In addition to the GDT installed on Feb. 7, Holloman added two ground control stations and is upgrading satellite links. (Holloman report by A1C Siuta Ika) (See also RPA Ramp Up from Air Force Magazine’s 2011 archive.)
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.