The development of the General Atomics MQ-1 Predator, from its primary role as an unmanned aerial vehicle used for observatory and reconnaissance purposes, has essentially evolved into a strike aircraft with the capability to launch hellfire missiles at pre-determined targets. Over the years especially since the inception of terrorism and the emergence of powerful non- state actors, conventional warfare has aligned itself in such a manner so as to provide maximum efficiency in regards to conducting military operations while also limiting civilian as well as military personnel casualties. The predator, since its formulation in 1995, has been used in various conflict regions such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, Serbia, Iraq and Yemen and has evolved into one of the most efficient intelligence gathering as well as covert strike capable aircrafts under the auspices of the United States Air Force.
In order to counter the threats and dangers posed terrorism, it is important that intelligence gathering and covert operations be conducted on an extremely efficient level. Since terrorist organizations are primarily considered to be non-state actors thereby giving them leeway in regards to operational rules and procedures. Hence, in accordance with the United States role as the frontline nation in the global war on terror, it is imperative that the US remain vigilant in terms of its abilities to gather intelligence especially in regions where human intelligence gathering assets are severely hampered. The predator is one such development of the USAF that has aided the US armed forces in gathering intelligence on terrorists holed up in various parts of the world as well as allowing them to strike covertly at targets as soon as they are located. This has allowed for greater operational efficiency in terms of eliminating the threat of terrorists.
The very fact that the predator is an unmanned intelligence gathering unit as well as an aircraft which can strike at targets on the ground makes it an extremely important part of the USAF aircraft inventory. Over the recent years, during the presidency of George Bush as well as Barrack Obama, we have seen a significant increase in predator attacks conducted within the Middle East region, which is the hub of present terrorist activities.
The predator came into existence by the joint efforts of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Pentagon. Both of them were looking for drones or small, inconspicuous aircraft that could be deployed within the field for the sole purpose of intelligence gathering. In accordance with the design and technical requirements, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems were contracted to develop and produce the predators.
From campaigns being conducted in Bosnia and Kosovo to the apparent and covert war raging in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, the predator has undergone extensive evolutionary development in order to turn it into one of the most lethal unmanned aircraft currently in use by the USAF. Initially, the predator required a command and sensor systems which primarily controlled it during take-off through close radio signals. After takeoff, the control of the aircraft was linked with the pilot through advanced military networks. However, this chain link between the drone, the pilot and the military network proved to be slightly inefficient in the sense that there was a lag present between the actual command given by the pilot and the drones response. Extensive communication system enhancements in 2000 led to a significant reduction within the lag itself and made it possible for the reaction time of the drone to increase in accordance with the pilots commands as well as the fact that the drone could be completely controlled from anywhere around the world.
In accordance with its design and requirements, each predator is endowed with data link sensors as well as a Multi-spectral targeting system, allowing it to track targets, and a camera which enables the drone to take surveillance videos of targets on the ground, zooming in and out in accordance with whatever is required. The camera is also equipped with infra red abilities allowing it to be used extremely effectively at night as well. Therefore, it is an extremely effective measure in regards to intelligence gathering. The drone is also furnished with a laser designator which has a lot of uses primarily allowing target identification for other aircrafts and military vehicles on the ground as well as being the main source of targeting for the hell fire missiles that are carried by the drone. Also, the drone can be disassembled into six physical elements for transport hence it can be easily deployed within any region of the world.
As has been stipulated in previous paragraphs, it can be clearly seen that the predator is a multipurpose aircraft that can be used for various missions ranging from pure intelligence gathering to engaging high priority targets on the ground, targets that would require a large military offensive in regards to conventional warfare. Hence the cost of producing and maintaining predators is justified in the sense that it saves the time, effort and monetary resources required to launch a military offensive to take out a single high priority target.
The fact that it can be deployed easily anywhere in the world and can be controlled from any location makes it an extremely useful machine. However, in recent times, drone attacks conducted by the US armed forces within various regions of the world have come under scrutiny, specifically within the Middle East and South Asian region, because of the increase in the civilian casualties. It has been stated that unless the United States effectively justifies the reasons behind the existence of predators and their appropriate use, the deployment of these drones and the subsequent airstrikes would be considered as a violation of international law.
Although the loss of life in regards to drone attacks is apparently unjustified, however, that cannot be seen as a reason to undermine the effectiveness of predators in the sense that increase in civilian casualties has increased because of faulty intelligence. Predators, by deterring conventional military offensives as well as the deployment of human intelligence assets within hostile regions, directly saves lives as well as resources of both sides that are involved in a particular conflict. Also, the fact that terrorism is now a global threat and the extensiveness of terror networks existing across various regions means that pure intelligence gathering is a necessary requirement for this day and age and the predator augments the intelligence gather capabilities of the United States Armed Forces.
In order to counter the threats and dangers posed terrorism, it is important that intelligence gathering and covert operations be conducted on an extremely efficient level. Since terrorist organizations are primarily considered to be non-state actors thereby giving them leeway in regards to operational rules and procedures. Hence, in accordance with the United States role as the frontline nation in the global war on terror, it is imperative that the US remain vigilant in terms of its abilities to gather intelligence especially in regions where human intelligence gathering assets are severely hampered. The predator is one such development of the USAF that has aided the US armed forces in gathering intelligence on terrorists holed up in various parts of the world as well as allowing them to strike covertly at targets as soon as they are located. This has allowed for greater operational efficiency in terms of eliminating the threat of terrorists.
The very fact that the predator is an unmanned intelligence gathering unit as well as an aircraft which can strike at targets on the ground makes it an extremely important part of the USAF aircraft inventory. Over the recent years, during the presidency of George Bush as well as Barrack Obama, we have seen a significant increase in predator attacks conducted within the Middle East region, which is the hub of present terrorist activities.
The predator came into existence by the joint efforts of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Pentagon. Both of them were looking for drones or small, inconspicuous aircraft that could be deployed within the field for the sole purpose of intelligence gathering. In accordance with the design and technical requirements, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems were contracted to develop and produce the predators.
From campaigns being conducted in Bosnia and Kosovo to the apparent and covert war raging in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq, the predator has undergone extensive evolutionary development in order to turn it into one of the most lethal unmanned aircraft currently in use by the USAF. Initially, the predator required a command and sensor systems which primarily controlled it during take-off through close radio signals. After takeoff, the control of the aircraft was linked with the pilot through advanced military networks. However, this chain link between the drone, the pilot and the military network proved to be slightly inefficient in the sense that there was a lag present between the actual command given by the pilot and the drones response. Extensive communication system enhancements in 2000 led to a significant reduction within the lag itself and made it possible for the reaction time of the drone to increase in accordance with the pilots commands as well as the fact that the drone could be completely controlled from anywhere around the world.
In accordance with its design and requirements, each predator is endowed with data link sensors as well as a Multi-spectral targeting system, allowing it to track targets, and a camera which enables the drone to take surveillance videos of targets on the ground, zooming in and out in accordance with whatever is required. The camera is also equipped with infra red abilities allowing it to be used extremely effectively at night as well. Therefore, it is an extremely effective measure in regards to intelligence gathering. The drone is also furnished with a laser designator which has a lot of uses primarily allowing target identification for other aircrafts and military vehicles on the ground as well as being the main source of targeting for the hell fire missiles that are carried by the drone. Also, the drone can be disassembled into six physical elements for transport hence it can be easily deployed within any region of the world.
As has been stipulated in previous paragraphs, it can be clearly seen that the predator is a multipurpose aircraft that can be used for various missions ranging from pure intelligence gathering to engaging high priority targets on the ground, targets that would require a large military offensive in regards to conventional warfare. Hence the cost of producing and maintaining predators is justified in the sense that it saves the time, effort and monetary resources required to launch a military offensive to take out a single high priority target.
The fact that it can be deployed easily anywhere in the world and can be controlled from any location makes it an extremely useful machine. However, in recent times, drone attacks conducted by the US armed forces within various regions of the world have come under scrutiny, specifically within the Middle East and South Asian region, because of the increase in the civilian casualties. It has been stated that unless the United States effectively justifies the reasons behind the existence of predators and their appropriate use, the deployment of these drones and the subsequent airstrikes would be considered as a violation of international law.
Although the loss of life in regards to drone attacks is apparently unjustified, however, that cannot be seen as a reason to undermine the effectiveness of predators in the sense that increase in civilian casualties has increased because of faulty intelligence. Predators, by deterring conventional military offensives as well as the deployment of human intelligence assets within hostile regions, directly saves lives as well as resources of both sides that are involved in a particular conflict. Also, the fact that terrorism is now a global threat and the extensiveness of terror networks existing across various regions means that pure intelligence gathering is a necessary requirement for this day and age and the predator augments the intelligence gather capabilities of the United States Armed Forces.
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