New "Hunter Killer Drones"
Showing off
An MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle flies over the crowd during the Aviation Nation Air Show at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 10. This year’s show commemorated 60 years of air power during the Air Force’s year-long 60th anniversary celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Robert W. Valenca)
Air Force’s hunter-killer UAV now flying in Afghanistan
An aircrew member inspects the weapons loadout on an MQ-9 Reaper before it takes of for a mission in Afghanistan Sept. 31. (Courtesy photo)
Air Force’s hunter-killer UAV now flying in Afghanistan
An MQ-9 Reaper takes of for a mission in Afghanistan Sept. 31. The MQ-9 has nearly nine times the range, can fly twice as high and carries more munitions than the MQ-1 Predator. (Courtesy photo)
Air Force’s hunter-killer UAV now flying in Afghanistan
An MQ-9 Reaper takes of for a mission in Afghanistan Sept. 31. The Reaper has completed 12 missions since its inaugural flight there Sept. 25. (Courtesy photo)
‘Reaper’ moniker given to MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle
The “Reaper” has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle. (U.S. Air Force photo)
‘Reaper’ moniker given to MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle
The “Reaper” has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle. (U.S. Air Force photo)
‘Reaper’ moniker given to MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle
The “Reaper” has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle. (Courtesy photo)
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SrA Angel Torres, crew chief, 432d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS), Creech Air Force Base, Nev. performs a pre-flight inspection on the MQ-9 Reaper as Jeremy Estoban, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. looks on. The February 28, 2008, flight was the first ever blue-suit launch of the Reaper. These aircraft and ground control stations have been maintained by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA/ASI) contractors ever since. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kenny Kennemer (released)
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The 432d Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS), spearheaded the first ever blue-suit launch of the MQ-9 Reaper at Creech Air Force Base, Nev. on 28 February 2008. Creech acquired the MQ-9s in March 2007. The aircraft and ground control stations have been maintained by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA/ASI) contractors ever since. USAF Photo by Lawrence Crespo Released
The Reaper returns
AFGHANISTAN An Air Force MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial attack vehicle prepares to land after a mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Reaper has the ability to carry both precision-guided bombs and missiles. (U.S. Air Force photo Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson, Released)
Aviation Nation
An MQ-9 Reaper fly’s over the crowd during Aviation Nation air show at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 10, 2007. Aviation Nation is the Air Force’s premier air show and one of the largest in North America. This years show commemorated 60 years of air power and is the capstone event of the Air Force’s yearlong 60th anniversary celebration. U.S. Air Force Photo by Master Sgt. Robert W. Valenca ( Released)
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A fully armed MQ-9 Reaper taxis down an Afghanistan runway Nov. 4, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson)(Released)
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General Atomic contractors Alexander Holcomb and Darryl France off-load an AGM-114 Hellfire missile from a fully armed MQ-9 Reaper after landing on an Afghanistan runway Nov. 4, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson)(Released)
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An MQ-9 Reaper, assigned to the 432nd Wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nev., awaits visitors at the Aviation Nation air show on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Nov. 11, 2007. Aviation Nation is the Air Force’s premiere air show and one of the largest in North America. This years show commemorated 60 years of air power and is the capstone event of the Air Force’s yearlong 60th anniversary celebration. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kasabyan D. McGarvey) (Released)
Air Force’s hunter-killer UAV now flying in Afghanistan
U.S. Air Force aircrews perform a preflight check on an MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle before it takes off for a mission in Afghanistan Sept. 30, 2007, during Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo/Released)
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The MQ-9 Reaper taxis into Creech Air Force Base Tuesday. This marks a historic day for the MQ-9 Reaper, as it was the first operational airframe of it’s kind to land at Creech. This Reaper is the first of many to be assigned to the 42nd Attack Squadron. (U.S Air Force Photo by Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr.) (Released)
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Hurricane Ike photos
CBP Air and Marine group conduct aerial operations with their UAS aircraft over areas affected by Hurricane Ike to help broadly assess damage so as to better deploy rescuers to specific areas with the most need.
Predator soars to record number of sorties
Capt. Richard Koll, left, and Airman 1st Class Mike Eulo perform function checks after launching an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle Aug. 7 at Balad Air Base, Iraq. Captain Koll, the pilot, and Airman Eulo, the sensor operator, will handle the Predator in a radius of approximately 25 miles around the base before handing it off to personnel stationed in the United States to continue its mission. Both are assigned to the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. (U.S. Air Force/Master Sgt. Steve Horton)