DefenceTalkCREECH AIR FORCE BASE: For the past 21 years the Air Force has flown the remotely piloted MQ-1 Predator in combat, and for the last 10, the MQ-9 Reaper. Combined with a skilled aircrew, these aircraft provide consistent support in daily engagements making an impact downrange. While the MQ-1 has provided many years of service, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/usaf-prepares-for-all-mq-9-force-as-mq-1-predator-retires-69292/

DefenceTalkThe US Air Force on Tuesday showed off its advanced MQ-1 “Predator” drone at a Latvian airbase, marking the first time the cutting-edge aircraft has been deployed in Europe. The showcase at the central Lielvarde airbase comes as tensions run high in the Baltic states — Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia — with neighboring Russia over its […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-unveils-predator-drones-at-latvian-airbase-65299/

DefenceTalkRAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Two MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) and approximately 70 Airmen deployed to Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia to test the unit’s ability to forward deploy, and to conduct air operations while assuring NATO allies of our commitment to regional security and stability. Airmen and aircraft from the 147th Reconnaissance Wing […]https://www.defencetalk.com/mq-1s-test-deployment-capability-in-latvia-65235/

DefenceTalkSoldiers have put the MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system, or UAS, through its paces this month using advanced ground controls. The exercise, conducted at the National Training Center, or NTC, on Fort Irwin, California, involved the One System Remote Video Terminal, or OSRVT, which allows Soldiers to take control of the Gray Eagle payload, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/stryker-brigade-tests-gray-eagles-advanced-communications-gear-64513/

DefenceTalkKANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan: An MQ-1 Predator assigned here recently became the first Predator to pass 20,000 flying hours over Afghanistan, a feat equivalent to flying 15 hours every other day, for 2,667 days. While the Predator remotely piloted aircraft program surpassed one million hours of total development, test, training and combat in August 2011, this […]https://www.defencetalk.com/predator-passes-20000-hour-mark-in-afghanistan-47933/