SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The evolution of war has been changing with advancements in technology. Ever since fighting with bows and arrows transitioned to muskets and muskets transitioned to .50 caliber machine guns. Today those advancements have brought us to the remotely piloted aircraft, or RPA.
Unlike flying a manned aircraft where the pilot has direct, hands-on contact with the airplane, RPA pilots control the airframe from miles and more often than not, countries away.
“There is a lot more to it than just flying an aircraft,” said Maj. Muneel, 46th Expeditionary Attack Squadron MQ-9 Reaper pilot. “Most missions require the monitoring of at least five or six screens of data.”
These screens are constantly transmitting data that is passed up the chain of command to combatant commanders. This data is reviewed, sometimes in real time, and the commanders are able to make timely decisions that can save American and coalition forces lives.
“I’ve seen firsthand how the actions of my crew have been the deciding factor in stopping enemy advancement or saving the lives of friendly forces and innocent bystanders,” added Muneel.
An armed RPA is able to protect the troops on the ground, in part, due to the duration they can stay airborne. While traditional manned aircraft may need to be refueled in air to meet their mission requirements, unmanned aircraft are able to loiter on site much longer providing persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance as well as close air support when called upon.
RPAs also differ from manned aircraft in that they operate in two elements, the launch and recovery element and the mission control element.
Most of an RPA mission is carried out by the mission control element, via satellite link, from a remote location, often on the other side of the world. However, due to the small time delay inherent in these satellite links, the launch and recovery element uses line-of-site connectivity to operate the RPA with no delay to maximize safety at low altitudes.
LREs are deployed units, like the 46th EATKS, whose crews are responsible for coordinating with maintenance to ensure a mission capable aircraft. Once the RPA is airborne, it is handed off to an MCE and they are in control of the aircraft during flight until it is time to return to base. The 46 EATKS then takes control again and lands it safely.
Previously, pilots and sensor operators were assigned to one element or the other, but now they are integrating both elements giving both the pilots and sensor operators the full scope of the mission.
“There’s no better way to incorporate all the crews, MCE and LRE, than to know how each side operates,” said Senior Airman Dennia, 46th EATKS MQ-9 Reaper sensor operator. “It creates a great channel for communication to ensure we are fulfilling the mission to our greatest ability.”
The ability to send messages, listen to radio traffic and make crew calls are just a few of the things sensor operators are constantly doing in the ever-changing career field, said Dennia, a sensor operator for more than four years. It is integral for crews to be able to multi-task while operating a highly technical piece of military equipment.
“It’s satisfying to know this is undoubtedly the future of warfare, and we are leading it,” said Muneel. “Without RPAs, it’s not just the Air Force that would be different, the entire way we wage war would be.”