Anna Forrester
General Atomics has flown its Reaper and Predator drones to conduct surveillance operations on behalf of the government since April, Defense One reported Wednesday.
Patrick Tucker writes that the company is among other drone manufacturers the Defense Department has hired to fly surveillance missions.
The report said DoD’s move could also indicate potential plans to use civilian contractors for future strike missions as the department works to address a shortage of available drone operators due to increasing demand.
“Policy-wise, I don’t see that happening. There’s always a government authority in a targeting chain like that,” Chris Pehrson, director of strategic development for General Atomics’ aeronautical systems business, told Defense One.
Military activities in Iraq and Syria and other factors have boosted drone demand amid a growing attrition rate among pilots, Tucker reports.
The U.S. Air Force has already reduced the number of combat air patrols from 65 in fiscal 2014 to 60 this year to ease crew workload and sustain drone operations in the long term.
According to the report, General Atomics also plans to open a training academy for pilots in March.
