Photo: Cpl Steve Follows RAF. Cown Copyright/MOD 2011
The RAF’s Reapers have reached a landmark after clocking up 20,000 operational flying hours over Afghanistan.
Introduced in October 2007, the 39 Squadron aircraft have an array of high tech sensors and precision guided weapons to carry out a wide range of missions to support forces in Afghanistan.
Air Officer Commanding 2 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Philip Osborn, said: “The RAF’s Reaper force has proven itself time and again in combat and is an essential element of the RAF’s combat intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capability. The real time, day and night video coverage of the battle space combined with the extensive use of onboard radar provides a unique, cost effective and sustained capability that enhances the safety of troops on the ground.
“This cutting-edge remotely piloted aircraft provides an impressive range of capabilities that are saving lives and making a real difference to the troops in Afghanistan. The aircraft is only as good as the individuals operating it though and I am most grateful for and must praise the dedication and operational focus of all the members of 39 Squadron, who are drawn from across all three Services, in achieving this milestone.”
A Reaper pilot from 39 Squadron said: “When you’re assisting troops on the ground and insurgents are trying to take shots at them we can be called to use the Reaper’s precision weapons. As with fast jets, you’re still speaking to the troops on the ground and feel immersed in the operational environment. In many ways, you actually feel better connected to the situation on the ground than you do in a fast jet – the detailed computer systems that we’ve got with Reaper make it easier to get better intelligence pictures.”
Source: British Forces News