US To double Drones in Afghanistan

For the Pentagon, it seems, drones are invaluable: The United States is looking to reduce its man presence in Afghanistan, and instead “the Air Force aims to double the number of drone squadrons over the next five years,” the Hindustan Times reports. Drones are already a major presence in Afghanistan in particular, and in US missions around the world at large. “In the wars we fight, this is the future,” said drone pilot Lt. Shaw, who operates out of the US Air Force drone base in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar. The US doesn’t release detailed statistics of drone involvement in Afghanistan, but it is clear that they play a major role in operations in the country. (Read more)

Afganistán: Más alcance para los Reaper

El 62nd ERS (Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron) con base en Kandahar (Afganistán), ha completado con éxito una serie de modificaciones en su flota de MQ-9 Reaper que los capacita para aumentar su radio de alcance entre un 20 y un 40 por ciento, en función de su carga de pago.

Esta actualización ofrece a las tropas la posibilidad de vigilar durante más tiempo ciertas areas de especial interés, a fin de neutralizar una amenaza antes de que sea demasiado tarde.

Interesting picture

Interesting picture released by USAF, showing an MQ-9 Reaper carrying -perhaps- the latest version of the Gorgon Stare WASS. The picture was taken last 18th August at Kandahar.