Controlling Iraq's Crowded Airspace No Easy Task

摘要

An untidy web of unmanned drones and helicopters hovering over combat zones in Iraq has created dangerous flying conditions, prompting the Army to create a specialized cadre of air-traffic controllers whose job is to prevent collisions between friendly aircraft. "As we proliferate more UAVs, the de-con-fliction of manned and unmanned vehicles is a challenge," says Brig. Gen. E.J. Sinclair, commander of the U.S. Army Aviation Center. The Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps operate than 1,000 UAVs and countless helicopters in Iraq. Most fly at low altitudes, below 3,000 feet, noted Lt. Gen. Walter Buchanan, commander of the 9th Air Force and Central Command Air Forces. "That is a very thick environment," he told reporters. "We in fact have had occasions where they have run into a helicopter. Thankfully, to my knowledge, we have not hurt anybody yet."