Predators fly first ever four-ship sorties

http://www2.acc.af.mil/accnews/News05/0120.html
By Air Warfare Center Public Affairs

CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (ACCNS) -- The latest upgrade to the MQ-1 Predator, known as the Multi-Aircraft Control system, entered operational testing with the first ever two-ship and four-ship Predator sorties flown from Creech Air Force Base.

During these sorties, members from the 53rd Test and Evaluation Group, Detachment 4, tested the MAC Ground Control Station on its ability to enable a single pilot to simultaneously control four Predator aircraft over the skies of southern Nevada.

Testers performed two-ship sorties Sept. 12 and 13 and progressed to four-ship sorties Sept. 14 and 15.

"Our pilots were impressed with the technology integration, human-machine interface, and situational awareness provided by the MAC GCS," said Lt. Col. Steven Tanner, 53rd TEG Det. 4 commander. "We spent six months developing comprehensive training and safety plans to ensure that these initial MAC four-ship test sorties were successful.
Once we fully train our pilots and sensor operators on this new technology, we will initiate the process of evaluating the operational capabilities of the MAC system."

The MAC system has the potential to bring long-endurance, concentrated Predator firepower to a dynamic battlefield scenario, Colonel Tanner said.

The MAC system is designed to allow one pilot to actively engage a target, while three other Predators are flying nearby on standby status.

While one pilot controls all four Predators, sensor operators assigned to each Predator are able to collect data using the sensor ball located on the front of the aircraft, Colonel Tanner explained.

Members of the 53rd Wing and 57th Wing will conduct operational test missions with the MAC system during the next few months in order to evaluate the new two- and four-ship Predator mission capabilities.

"MAC represents a quantum leap in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle technology and has the potential to dramatically increase Predator availability and lethality," said Col. William Coutts, 53rd Wing commander. "The combined 53rd and 57th team is doing an excellent job, and I am optimistic that
MAC technology will translate into increased combat capability for combatant commanders."

The MQ-1 Predator is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely-piloted aircraft that carries the Hellfire missile. Its primary mission is interdiction and conducting armed reconnaissance against critical, perishable targets, according to the Air Force.

When the MQ-1 is not actively pursuing its primary mission, it acts as the Joint Forces Air Component Commander-owned theater asset for reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition.

Operational testing is scheduled to conclude in November, at which time testers will provide their recommendations to Air Force senior leadership concerning the operational viability of the MAC  system.



Predators take flight

The MQ-1 Predator takes off at Creech Air Force Base, Nev.
The latest upgrade to the Predator, known as the Multi-Aircraft Control system, entered perational testing with the first ever two-ship and four-ship Predator sorties flown.
Testers performed two-ship sorties Sept. 12 and 13 and progressed to four-ship sorties Sept. 14 and 15. (Photo by Master Sgt. Rob Valenca)

Great! Now they can crash them into mountans FOUR at a time instead of just one at a time!

way cool.

SRM

Quoted: Great! Now they can crash them into mountans FOUR at a time instead of just one at a time!

btw with 15k post why don't you have a membership you cheap ass

This is just some trick for the pilots to rack up hours quicker.

Quoted: Great! Now they can crash them into mountans FOUR at a time instead of just one at a time!

Global Hawk has/had those issues too......

Quoted: Quoted: Great! Now they can crash them into mountans FOUR at a time instead of just one at a time! btw with 15k post why don't you have a membership you cheap ass

Nothing really, I really should mail that check- but PayPal and I have a 'disagreement' over a old account of mine so I cant use the quick way, it would have to be the slow way.  For years though I just couldn't afford it.

I bought the t-shirt though...

"Los Angeles, year 2029. All stealth bombers are upgraded with neural processors, becoming fully unmanned. One of them, Skynet, begins to learn at a geometric rate. It becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m. eastern time, August 29."

Quoted: "Los Angeles, year 2029. All stealth bombers are upgraded with neural processors, becoming fully unmanned. One of them, Skynet, begins to learn at a geometric rate. It becomes self-aware at 2:14 a.m. eastern time, August 29."

Skynet....thats it we're all dead, everyone.

Time to travel to the future to reporgram my terminator/protector

Game over, man.. Game ov..

Wait, wrong movie!
Never mind!