RAF Predator Operations in Iraq

[Heimdall]

Yesterday The Sunday Times carried an interesting report about RAF Predator operations in Iraq. Follow this thread for some general details:

http://www.spyflight.co.uk/Latest%20News.HTM

Heimdall

[sangiovese.]

Imagine the phonecall from PMA...

Cracking flying job for you, new aircraft, weapons, detachments, based in Nellis.......no, it's not quite single seat but..:E

[Blakey875]

I believe they're trying to recruit pilots from the Lyneham Aero Modelling Club...

[tradewind]

I wonder how they stand with flying pay!

[BigGrecian]

Believe its a GR4 mate in the Pilot role.

[airborne_artist]

What does he put in his logbook?

[Flatus Veteranus]

They should hand these jobs over to the grunts immediately. The RAF should have nothing to do with "flying" UAVs (or whatever they call RPVs these days). Running a large force of ICBMs just about ruined SAC (and the USAF). It is all counter-cultural. :ugh:

[Farm-for-sale]

Before leaping in to judge, just picture the RAF 40 years hence (if such an entity exists).. How much will be RP? What will the capabilities be? Are we just scoffing at the future we fear or don't understand? Tanks, aeroplanes, even guns on scouts suffered the same early fate... It's coming, relax and embrace!

[Green Meat]

On a historical point RP isn't new, the Israelis used them to great effect in the Bekaa Valley against the Syrians. Now, if memory serves they still find the need to maintain a manned air force. Hmm 2004-1982 = 22 years ago. Why worry about forty years hence? I for one would be happy to let RP go and do the really sticky stuff then let the GA mates have a go whilst knickers were, metaphorically, down. And yes, I know that part of the fun is getting the underwear off but always be prepared to make an exception!

Months before the attack, Israeli UAVs "fingerprinted" Syrian surface-to-air radars by gathering the electronic frequencies of those radars and programming them into Israeli antiradiation missiles for use during an attack.3 When the attack came on 9 June, UAVs flew over the battlefield first, emitting dummy signals designed to make Syrian radar operators believe real Israeli aircraft were attacking. This tactic was effective in two ways. First, the Syrians launched most of their available surface-to-air missiles (SAM) against the UAVs. When the SAM batteries were in the midst of reloading, Israeli fighters attacked.4 Second, this deceptive tactic caused Syrian radars to actively track the UAVs, thus tipping off the Israelis to where the emitting radars were. Using the electronic frequency signatures gathered earlier, Israeli fighters carrying antiradiation missiles closed in and, along with artillery fire, destroyed the SAMs.5
From: http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/4spr91.html

[Green Meat]

And led to the largest (record still stand?) jet dogfight in history of over 200 aircraft in three engagements.

FJ mates, don't despair, get the RV to flush out trade!