The Defense Department Inspector General said the US Air Force has not justified its plan to procure 401 MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft, and “risks spending” some $8.8 billion on 46 Reapers “it may not need,” according to a report from the Defense Department Inspector General, released Sept. 30. But, the Air Force says that report is based on old data. “The Air Force is only buying 346 aircraft, 55 fewer than the 401 figure contained in the report. And, we’ve only received about half that number,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Otto, Air Force deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, in an Oct. 2 release.
The Air Force is seeking funds to procure 83 Reapers in its Fiscal 2015 budget request, and the service is “acting expeditiously” to “procure enough aircraft” to meet combatant commanders’ needs, states the release. “There isn’t a combatant commander that doesn’t want more of this capability,” said Col. Ed Thomas, spokesman for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “The need for ISR remains a top requirement for our theater commanders and our national leaders.”
A dynamic and volatile threat environment created a demand for the platform.
“The MQ-9 has played a vital role in combat operations and has resulted in saving American and coalition lives overseas,” said Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Michael Vickers. “This is a capability that is in high demand.”
“The MQ-9 Reaper is a success story,” said Otto. “The soldiers and Marines love it. Combatant Commanders want more of it. We’re working hard to make more, as directed by the Secretary of Defense.”
The aircraft has made significant contributions to mission success.
“The MQ-9 has made tremendous contributions in combat operations, which has saved countless American and coalition lives, said Otto. “Over its lifetime, the Reaper has flown nearly 700,000 hours, most of those in combat operations, and continues to prove its worth daily in operations over Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa.”
Source: Air Force Magazine