The number of drone accidents over the past five to six years has remained steady, but the rate of crashes seems to be decreasing, data on aviation mishaps shows.
With the retirement of MQ-1 Predators this month, MQ-9 Reapers are executing deliberate strikes, providing armed overwatch or close-air support, and flexing to ISR taskings — all in a single mission.
An MQ-1B Predator crashed in U.S. Central Command’s area of operations on Feb. 2, 2016, due to a data-link failure and a distracted crew, according to a report released this month.
Airmen can expect 2018 to bring many critical changes that will impact their lives at home and in uniform. See all the online stories here, plus a preview of more to come.