Predator

[No.1]

Few samples are lost during the operations and this sample is from the museum in Belgrade.

[mfg495]

There is some talk that the RAF may be getting Predator or anothe form of UAV.

[iljushin]

............It is understood that the UK is currently negotiating with Washington to buy an initial purchase of two Predator B air vehicles and a ground station from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems for delivery on 2006 to support a major deployment of UK Army forces to Afghanistan next year. Where the money for the purchase of this equipment is coming from is anyone's guess, but I hope it's from the Treasurary Contingency Fund and not from the already heavily overstretched Defence Budget...................

LINK

[mfg495]

Thanks for the information iljushin, if they do come on line, it looks like they will be called 39 Sqn, replacing the Canberra PR9 in the recce role.

[iljushin]

Correct me if I'm wrong,but there where 3 PR9 left in 39Sqn,and now RAF wants to purchase only two Predators.Are they that good,or is it lack of funds,or I'm missing the point....
(off topic-call me a romantic fool,but I prefere men to do the job,not robots or unmanned vehicles...I know that demands of modern warfare is totally opposite from my idealistic vision of valiant soldier,but what you gonna do... eh....  )

[mfg495]

There were 4 PR9's with 39 (1 PRU) Sqn up until July 2006 XH161, XH131, XH134 & XH 135, the aircraft left RAF service, making that aircraft I think the longest serving aircraft type in the RAF, 55 years. I think the B52 in the USAF is the only other type to beat that. 39 Sqn was then disbanded and all squadron personnel posted to other Units.

Prior to the sqn disbanding, it was deployed to the Gulf for one more operation. I was lucky to be in change of all the photographers during the detachment.

Have a look at the following post:

http://www.letletlet-warplanes.com/forum/index.php?topic=169.0

I was a great honour to be on that detachment, senice I started my career on PR7 in the mid 70's and now near the twilight of my career I have worked on PR9s.

And lastly, I do not think you are a romantic fool, machines can go very wrong. Digital reconnaissance is one example, I have always stated that with a 'wet' film reconnaissance system the only to stop it is to shoot it down. However, with an UAV or a digital recce system these could be jammed.

[santynus]

the Aeronautica Militare Italiana (Itailan Air Force) use five RQ-1A Predator 

http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/SitoAM/Images/predator_g.jpg

http://www.aeronautica.difesa.it/SitoAM/Images/galVelSto7446-2.jpg

[mfg495]

Two great images 

[iljushin]

Thank you for correcting me mfg495,and for info,of course.I've looked post that you linked,great pics!

I was a great honour to be on that detachment, senice I started my career on PR7 in the mid 70's and now near the twilight of my career I have worked on PR9s.

Oh,how I envy you (is that the word?  )!You must be loving every single day of that ~30 yrs!   

And lastly, I do not think you are a romantic fool, machines can go very wrong. Digital reconnaissance is one example, I have always stated that with a 'wet' film reconnaissance system the only to stop it is to shoot it down. However, with an UAV or a digital recce system these could be jammed.

Yeah,you are right,electronic is more sensitive than mechanic (you know that better then me,for sure)...
Once again tnx for info!

[mfg495]

Sorry Off topic,
Yes iljushin, the past 31 years have been in the most a dream, I fell the UK military is one of the best jobs you can undertake  . I never had any other job before I joined the RAF, in at 17 and due to leave in just under 6 years time at he ripe old age of 55  .
I only hope I can past on to others what the military have given me over the past years  .