Declared operational in 1995, the Predator's primary mission is to provide armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance and target acquisition to commanders in the field. The Predator can be armed with two laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and carries the Multispectral Targeting System, which integrates electro-optical, infrared, laser designator and laser illuminator into a single sensor package. The Predator has armed reconnaissance capabilities that can also engage hostile targets either on its own or in combination with manned aircraft like the F-16 Fighting Falcon.
"15th Reconnaissance Squadron personnel have been involved with every major operation in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom since the inception of combat operations," said Lt. Col. Robert Kiebler, the 15th RS commander. "Every day our people have a direct and lasting impact on combat operations in the AOR," said Colonel Kiebler. "They provide critical (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) to ground commanders, enable the tracking, capture and death of enemy insurgents and provide lifesaving overwatch to coalition forces."
The high demand has led to a "surge of production" at the 703rd Aeronautical Systems Group at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, in order to meet a requirement for 31 combat air patrols by April 2009, said Col. Christopher Coombs, the 703rd AESG commander.
"The warfighter can't get enough Predator time," Colonel Coombs said. "The 703rd has been performing heroics fielding more than 165 MQ-1s since 1998, multiplying MQ-1's global reach through remote split operations, expanding its role to 'killer' by incorporating Hellfire missiles, surging production to meet an 2009 31-CAP requirement and accelerating the original plan of 21 CAPs by 2010. We broke through 200,000 hours in 2006, 300,000 in 2007, and now cruising past 400,000 hours at a clip of about 14,000 hours a month." At their current rate, the Predator will pass 500,000 flight hours in early 2009.