Max. Operating Altitude 18,000 ft (
Details)
SA-14 (
Details)
Stinger (
Details)
Average height of terrain in Helmand/Khandahar?
Volunteers ?
However, the frame is but one tiny element of what it's there for. Primary requirement is to provide ISTAR not just S or TA. Whilst all elements are required in varying amounts throughout a mission there appears to be little thought given to the I or R (recce = recording of data for subsequent analysis or even rebuttal purposes).
Having 'kill-TV' is nice for the commander, but if you can't record or analyse it you have got to ask whether the risk is worth it for nothing more than looking 'round the next corner' when Desert Eagle could do the same for much less.
As for military v civilian crews comment above, how will we explain away the fire co-ordination role or laser designation of a civvy PPL in terms of delegated lethal force authority?