The
use of unmanned armed aircraft (drones) to kill "targets specified" by
the U.S, has been mired in controversy and condemnation from the
international community.
But
it seems the U.S. government is not budging to continue using this
killing machine in an attempt to suppress what they called a terrorist.
Here are 5 unmanned aircraft used by the United States in various
battlefields across the globe,
5. AeroVironment Puma-AE
AeroVironment Puma-AE
(all environments) are designed for operation on land and in the sea,
so that they can land on the ground or in the water. Drone can be used
for a variety of missions, such as: intelligence, surveillance,
reconnaissance and target assessment.
The
UAV has a weight of only 5.9 kg (13 lbs) and is launched by hand, long
wing span is 2.74 m (9 ft) and is able to float for two hours and a
maximum flight altitude of 152.4 m (500 ft).
4. AAI Corporation RQ-7 Shadow
Unlike most UAVs, which take off and land on a runway like a normal plane. AAI Corporation RQ-7 Shadow
launched into the air to a height of 9.14 m (30 ft) by using hydraulic
launchers and when it landed he had to hook a stopper mechanism as is
done when the aircraft landed on the aircraft carrier. RQ-7
operated by the U.S. Army and Marine Corps, served to transmit
full-motion video, both day and night with a range of up to 121 km (75
miles).
This UAV can be floated for nine hours, has a cruising speed of
90 knots (167 kph or 104 mph) and can reach a height of 4.572 m (15,000
ft). RQ-7 driven by propellers that move by a gasoline engine, the
overall weighs 209 kg (460 lbs) with a long wingspan of 6.1 m (20 ft).
3. Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk
The
Northrop Grumman-made UAVs have a wing span of 35.36 m (116 ft) with a
maximum take-off weight of 12,134 kg (26,750 lbs), this makes the RQ-4
as the biggest UAV which has been operating at this time.
the
'Q' is the U.S. Department of Defense designation for unmanned aircraft
systems. RQ-4 Global Hawk has the ability to fly high and far distance.
UAV is operated to provide intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance on the battlefield in the world, but can also be used on
missions other than war.
In addition, the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk
is also able to operate in almost all weather conditions, day or night,
and is projected to replace the U-2 spy plane. This UAV can fly up to a
height of 18,288 m (60,000 ft) and is controlled from the control
center by three members of the crew: launchers and controllers pilot,
mission control pilots and sensor operator.
2. Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel
UAV
was developed by Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works that has produced the
U-2, SR-71 spy plane and F-117 stealth aircraft. Like the F-117, RQ-170
Sentinel is a UAV stealth jet.
Lockheed Martin RQ-170 Sentinel earned the nickname as the "Beast of Kandahar" after being spotted at Kandahar Air Base,
Afghanistan, yet very little is known about this plane. According to
Aviation Week magazine estimates, the RQ-170 Sentinel has a wingspan of
22 m (66 ft) and a takeoff weight of 3,856 kg (8,500 lbs).
USAF
themselves are reluctant to explain the existence of these UAVs, and
only saying that the RQ-170 will directly support the intelligence needs
of the battle: surveillance and reconnaissance targets.
1. General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper
General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper
is the first killer hunter which designed for cruising far and the
ability to fly very high. In the killer mode, the UAV can carry
air-to-ground missiles, Hellfire up to 14 pieces, or a mixture of Hellfire missiles and laser guided bombs. These weapons controlled by a pilot in the ground central controller.
MQ-9
Reaper has a maximum speed of 483 kph (300 mph), able to fly up to a
height of 15,240 m (50,000 ft) and can fly within 14 hours with a full
load. UAV during take-off weight is 5,250 kg (10,500 lbs) with a
wingspan as wide as 22 m (66 ft).
For
comparison, the manned fighter aircraft like the F-16, has a maximum
takeoff weight of 21 tons (42,000 lbs). Another advantage of the
Reaper i.e. it has an ability to program their own flight, in which a
manned fighter should always be monitored from the base. but the
aircraft is always monitored or controlled by the ground crew. Like its
predecessor is a General Atomics MQ-1 Predator, which is said had destroyed many of the Taliban forces in Afghanistan. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES]
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