UAVs, not just an Air Force gig anymore

[AirAggie92]

One, it is still a stretch to say UAVs have "taken over the USAF." They are still run by, and need, pilots.

However, you are right in that many zoomies who went in thinking they'd be working a stick and rudder have found that their stick has a cable on it attached to a CPU.

While the USN does have UAVs, they aren't manned by guys shanghai'ed out of pilot gigs, at least not entry level (though I did meet 2 ensigns flying Pioneers who were flt school attrites--this was 11 years ago). They are much smaller in number, both in absolute and relative terms. In 10-15 years, the USN may be significantly more affected by them, though.

Alright, so if I graduate in 2014 I should be okay? Thanks for the reply!

 

[PhrogLoop]

Alright, so if I graduate in 2014 I should be okay?

Aggie, the landscape can change dramatically between now and your start date for API or UPT. But our crystal balls tell us that the Air Force will be training more and higher proportions of UAV (I still can't call them RPAs - see my previous rant in this thread) operators than the Navy for quite some time. But you still have to think about the rest of the missions ALL the services fly and decide what you want for yourself. That may mean picking the Air Force because you want to fly the F-22 more than anything else and you're willing to risk a possible Predator just for the chance at the Raptor. Good luck!

 

[AirAggie92]

Thanks PhrogLoop. I'm really thinking the Navy is the way to go at this point.

 

[zippy]

Alright, so if I graduate in 2014 I should be okay? Thanks for the reply!

Navy currently has a limited UAV force in the form of a Maritime Demonstration of Global Hawk in preparation for BAMS to come online. The Naval Aviator cadre for it is limited, and so far flying the thing has been a temporary duty (kind of like an IA) and not a career path. A guy from my Fleet squadron got selected for it. He "flew" the thing in addition to flying a P-3 on his shore tour. Its going to be a while before the Navy starts drafting Naval Aviators in large numbers to click the mouse on one of these things

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/global-hawk-uav-prepares-for-maritime-role-updated-01218/

 

[STS2_Traku]

Hmm... pretty interesting

 

[cfam]

Cool concept..wonder how likely it is though. Kinda looks like a paper airplane

 

[helolumpy]

Its going to be a while before the Navy starts drafting Naval Aviators in large numbers to click the mouse...

I'm assuming you mean other than Joint duty of course....

 

[pilot811]

Hmm...

pretty interesting

The Japanese Navy had this idea during WWII (they were manned though) but I think they never went through with it.

Kevin

 

[USMC_DFreeman]

I've gotten to work with a lot of unmanned aerial platforms and I am constantly surprised by what they're coming up with these days. I think the warfighter's mission is only going to improve with the additional usage of these craft.

 

[HeyJoe]

Navy currently has a limited UAV force in the form of a Maritime Demonstration of Global Hawk in preparation for BAMS to come online.

Say what? A "limited UAV force in the form of a Maritime Demonstration of Global Hawk?" (emphasis mine) GHMD is a demo that was funded when FireScout falsestarted. It resulted in 2 early block Global Hawks to be deliveed to Pax River. To call them a "force", even limited is a real stretch and they belong to the VX world even though they have deployed. That said, they have been a number of UAV/UAS operated by Navy well before Global Hawk was a twinkle in anyone's eye. Perhaps you missed announcement by Africom that Navy operated MQ-9 Reapers were in Seychelles supporting Counter Piracy Ops?

Photo released by AFRICOM of Navy Reaper taxiing at Seychelles base

And then there's the MQ-8 Fire Scout:

100416-N-0486G-006 MAYPORT, Fla. (April 16, 2010) An MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle's (VTUAV) is craned off the guided-missile frigate USS McInerney (FFG 8) after completing its first operational deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Gay/Released)

And also the ubiquitous Scan Eagles, not to mention all the Pioneers that paved the way and Ravens, Neptunes, Sentrys, etc. that have found their way into Navy operational hands at one time or another.

 

[Gatordev]

And then there's the MQ-8 Fire Scout:

100416-N-0486G-006 MAYPORT, Fla. (April 16, 2010) An MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle's (VTUAV) is craned off the guided-missile frigate USS McInerney (FFG 8) after completing its first operational deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Gay/Released)

Just push that thing over the side.

 

[zippy]

Say what? A "limited UAV force in the form of a Maritime Demonstration of Global Hawk?" (emphasis mine) GHMD is a demo that was funded when FireScout falsestarted. It resulted in 2 early block Global Hawks to be deliveed to Pax River. To call them a "force", even limited is a real stretch and they belong to the VX world even though they have deployed. That said, they have been a number of UAV/UAS operated by Navy well before Global Hawk was a twinkle in anyone's eye. Perhaps you missed announcement by Africom that Navy operated MQ-9 Reapers were in Seychelles supporting Counter Piracy Ops?

Photo released by AFRICOM of Navy Reaper taxiing at Seychelles base

And also the ubiquitous Scan Eagles, not to mention all the Pioneers that paved the way and Ravens, Neptunes, Sentrys, etc. that have found their way into Navy operational hands at one time or another.

Actually, I did miss that announcement.

As you probably know, there is a lot of VP community interest and involvement in GHMD- so much so that they are pulling personnel from their fleet and community shore tours to provide manning for the "demo". I've heard of some of the UAVs you mentioned, but at the time GHMD was the only program that I was aware of that was taking Naval Aviators and other aircrew out of aircraft to provide manning (In response to the questions about the poster being safe from a UAV draft in 2014). The Reaper program maybe something more recent, and explains where a group of Super Hornet FRS attrites are ending up.

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

An RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aircraft lands after Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 4's inaugural flight at Auxiliary Airfield 2 in Yuma, Ariz., Sept. 29, 2010. During the flight, the squadron showcased the aircraft’s reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities with a live video feed from the Shadow’s onboard camera. The Yuma detachment of the Texas-based reserve squadron is the only operational component of the unit and is composed of mostly full-time Marines. The detachment, which began assembling in Yuma in June, has four Shadows and consists of approximately 40 Marines.(Byline: Cpl. Austin Hazard)

 

[Hozer]

Whoever was operating that ball on the Firescout go-fast takedwon needs some work....

 

[Kycntryboy]

Hope it tripped over the cable.