Increased UAV reliance evident in 2009 budget

[unhappycamper]

Increased UAV reliance evident in 2009 budget
By Lolita C. Baldor - The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Feb 5, 2008 21:46:58 EST

WASHINGTON — When a U.S. Predator drone brought down a top al-Qaida leader last week, it underscored the war-fighting power of unmanned aircraft, which are being eyed for even greater use in Afghanistan. They would consume at least $3.4 billion in the Pentagon’s proposed budget for 2009.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates will be traveling to a meeting of NATO defense ministers this week to discuss military needs in Afghanistan, which include more such eyes-in-the sky. Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said Tuesday that the demand for intelligence-gathering aircraft there, as well as in Iraq, “has never been higher.”

According to military officials and budget documents, the Pentagon’s spending proposal would buy more of the larger, costlier and deadlier Air Force Predators and Reapers than in the current budget year. The hunter-killer drones are armed with missiles and can relay photos and video rapidly to troops on the ground.

Early last week, Abu Laith al-Libi, a major al-Qaida leader, was killed when a Predator fired on a suspected terrorist safe house in Pakistan’s north Waziristan region. Predators, used by the Air Force and the CIA, are armed with Hellfire anti-tank missiles. Officials have not confirmed whose Predator struck al-Libi, although all signs point to the CIA’s.

Overall, the Defense Department is asking for $2.6 billion in its base budget for a variety of drones for the Air Force, Army and Marines. Also, the Navy is looking for at least $800 million for continuing research and development, particularly regarding drones that can take off and land vertically from its ships.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/02/ap_uavs_080205/