A Civil Air Patrol Cessna 206T received an upgraded sensor suite to mimic an MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft for pre-deployment combat training, the Air Force Research Laboratory announced. “The Enhanced Surrogate Predator 3 is a redesign of the first two surrogate Predators, which had a wing-mounted turret,” AFRL program manager J. P. Sena said in a release, April 22. Upgrades include a sensor turret that retracts into the Cessna’s belly to both improve field of view and reduce aerodynamic drag when not in use, as well as a more ergonomic and capable operator’s station. “Troops training for deployment get experience with what they will see overseas,” added Sena. “Our government saves millions by keeping the [RPA] assets in theater,” while CAP is able to use the sensor-equipped Cessnas for disaster relief, homeland security, and search and rescue missions as well as combat exercises such as Green Flag, he said.
Watchdog Says Military Can Make Cyber Ops More Efficient
Sept. 17, 2025
The Government Accountability Office called for paring down the military's sprawling cyber enterprise in a recent report, amid renewed discussion about standing up a separate cyber force.
