US shortfalls exposed by IS

Defense Department Undersecretary Michael Vickers said last week the march of IS “has exposed, along with some of the instability in North Africa, shortfalls that we believe we now have in some capacity areas,” specifically surveillance and reconnaissance drones, according to the report.

Drones like General Atomics' MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper remain key in surveillance efforts in the Middle East. With the IS continuing to hold more than a quarter of Iraq and U.S. efforts to increasing, there will likely be a renewed emphasis on the program and a need for a bigger fleet.

U.S. Weighs Base for Spy Drones in North Africa

A handful of unarmed Predator drones would carry out surveillance missions in the region. The Africa Command’s plan still needs approval from the Pentagon and eventually from the White House. If approved, the base could ultimately have as many as 300 United States military and contractor personnel, but it would probably begin with far fewer people than that, military officials said. (Read more)

Unmanned drones likely to take over Nimrod spy duties

 

Using UAVs for coastal patrols and Nato operations cheaper and less risky then developing replacement, says defence secretary (Read more)