ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is a candidate for an Air Force Reserve Command MQ-1 Remote Split-Operation squadron, officials said. The base is the candidate for a single MQ-1 squadron of 140 personnel and associated equipment. There are no remotely-piloted aircraft associated with this action, only ground control systems. The primary mission of an MQ-1 RSO squadron is to support the MQ-1 Predator aircraft operations that conduct close air support, air interdiction, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Remote split-operations consist of launching a drone via line-of-sight operations from one location, and controlling the aircraft remotely from a mission control element that is operated at another location beyond line-of-site. Officials will begin conducting evaluations of Eglin, covering a range of operational and facility issues. Based on the results of these efforts, officials expect to announce the preferred alternative in summer 2011. (Source: AFNS, 05/04/11)
NEWS: A digest of aerospace, defense and technology news from the Gulf Coast I-10 region
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Eglin a Predator squadron candidate
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. – Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is a candidate for an Air Force Reserve Command MQ-1 Remote Split-Operation squadron, officials said. The base is the candidate for a single MQ-1 squadron of 140 personnel and associated equipment. There are no remotely-piloted aircraft associated with this action, only ground control systems. The primary mission of an MQ-1 RSO squadron is to support the MQ-1 Predator aircraft operations that conduct close air support, air interdiction, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. Remote split-operations consist of launching a drone via line-of-sight operations from one location, and controlling the aircraft remotely from a mission control element that is operated at another location beyond line-of-site. Officials will begin conducting evaluations of Eglin, covering a range of operational and facility issues. Based on the results of these efforts, officials expect to announce the preferred alternative in summer 2011. (Source: AFNS, 05/04/11)