Quantcast

US military utilizes advanced drones for strategic operations

Flight Centre tips ‘price war’ as first direct Melbourne to LA Delta flights go on sale
FAA reverses course on meeting prohibition, blaming rogue employee
US court blocks Biden administration's airline fee disclosure rule
JetBlue Issues Dim Outlook But Execs Remain Confident in Turnaround Plan
Delta to Resume Tel Aviv Flights April 1
Boeing CEO Ortberg outlines 2025 priorities after heavy losses
Storm Eowyn: Thousands of trains, flights and ferries cancelled as 100mph wind batters UK
Indian carrier long haul: IndiGo returns to profitability, plans long haul flights
These Frequent Fliers Are Done With Loyalty Programs
JetBlue accepting Venmo as payment method for flights purchased through mobile app
United Airlines stock rallies on results, as growing demand wasn’t just about premium seats
Delta Adds Another Alaska Route
Southwest to Reduce Pilot Head Count at Several Bases
Dublin Airport savings boost for holidaymakers – but passengers need to be quick
American Halts CRJ-200 Operations
Shanghai Airlines to Launch Casablanca Route
Delta employees to receive an average five weeks of pay in annual profit sharing
Akasa Air faces DGCA heat for lapses; warning letter issued to airline's accountable manager
Indigo Eyes European Market Amid Intensifying Competition with Air India
Air India to operate daily Delhi-Prayagraj flights for Maha Kumbh
Engine maker agrees to compensate WizzAir for grounded planes
Turkish Airlines’ flights are riddled with bedbugs, passengers say
British Airways frequent flyers react to Executive Club changes
Inside the short-lived, men-only flights where kids and women were banned but cigar and pipe smoking were rife
China steps up drive to break Boeing, Airbus grip on plane market
Heathrow’s New York service clings to spot in top aviation routes
Airline praises pilots in crash-landing where both died but nearly half the passengers survived
Mexico state airline to buy five Embraer planes next year
A record number of people are expected to fly over the holidays. That's good for travel stocks, but not for passengers.
American Airlines technical issue sparks travel chaos on Christmas Eve as flights heavily delayed after being grounded
US military utilizes advanced drones for strategic operations
Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
Simple Flying | Simple Flying

The United States military employs a range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for various missions, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Among these UAVs are five notable models.

The General Atomics MQ-1C Gray Eagle is a long-endurance UAV developed for the US Army. It is an upgrade of the MQ-1 Predator with enhanced capabilities. General Atomics stated, "Gray Eagle has an endurance of 25 hours, speeds up to 167 KTAS, can operate up to 29,000 feet, and carries 1,075 lb (488 kg) of internal and external payload." The Army operates around 180 active units of this model.

Another UAV from General Atomics is the MQ-9 Reaper, designed for the US Air Force. It features autonomous flight operations and increased power compared to its predecessors. The USAF has 244 active MQ-9 Reapers in service.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

The AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven is widely used by the US military for intelligence and reconnaissance missions. According to the Air Force, "The RQ-11B Raven small unmanned aircraft system provides real-time direct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and target information for Air Force Security Forces."

The RQ-21 Blackjack is a tactical UAS platform developed by Insitu for the US Navy's requirements. It is equipped with a single EFI piston engine.

Lastly, the RQ-20 Puma serves as a small hand-launched aircraft used for surveillance missions. AeroVironment describes it as "a fully waterproof, small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) designed for land and maritime operations."

These UAVs represent significant advancements in military technology and serve crucial roles in modern warfare strategies.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Airbus has released its order and delivery statistics for May, revealing that the company did not secure any new orders during the month.

Jun 9, 2025

Wizz Air is set to increase its capacity by approximately 20% in the year leading up to March 2026, despite facing challenges with a portion of its fleet being grounded due to Pratt & Whitney GTF engine issues.

Jun 9, 2025

ITA Airways is reportedly planning to expand its operations by launching over a dozen new long-haul routes in the next five years.

Jun 9, 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) plans to suspend airline operations at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on the evening of June 14.

Jun 9, 2025

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, a joint venture between Hungary-based Wizz Air and Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ), has experienced significant changes since its launch in January 2021.

Jun 9, 2025

Southwest Airlines, the fourth-largest airline in the United States, has reported a total of 4,194 daily movements for June.

Jun 9, 2025