Tuesday, August 12, 2008

First All-Drone USAF Air Wing

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on Tuesday August 12, @03:28AM
from the going-for-the-high-score dept.
bfwebster writes "Strategy Page reports that the United States Air Force has announced its first air wing that will consist entirely of unmanned craft. The 174th Fighter Wing has flown its last manned combat sorties; its F-16s will be entirely replaced by MQ-9 Reapers. Reasons cited include costs (maintenance and fuel) and the drone's ability to stay in the air up to 14 hours, waiting for a target to show itself."