Weapomzed Drones on the Tactical Battlefield

摘要

Armed drones have been in use for some time at the operational level. The MQ-1 PREDATOR and its replacement, the MQ-9 REAPER, are medium altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial systems (UAS), originally fielded for reconnaissance with an RQ designation. In 2001 a PREDATOR was equipped with and successfully test-fired a HELLFIRE-C laser guided missile: by 2002 it was used against a terrorist target. These and similar systems, such as the Chinese WING LONG (Pterodactyl) -1 and -2, are now referred to as unmanned combat air vehicles or UCAV. They mount relatively light-weight precision guided weapons. These for the most part require established airfields, large control stations and are expensive - an operating unit can cost over $60 million (€53.7 million) - making them more an operational asset. Their success hinted at the potential value armed drones might have if used tactically on the battlefield.