Published October 02,
2014
WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- The Air Force believes a recent
Department of Defense Inspector General report that critiqued Air Force MQ-9
procurement plans to buy 401 Reaper aircraft, stating that 46 aircraft may not
be needed, is based on data that is out of date.
"The data in the report is a year old," said Lt
Gen Robert Otto, Air Force deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance. "The Air Force is only buying 346 aircraft, 55 fewer
than the 401 figure contained in the report and we've only received about half
that number. The projected total Reaper
fleet of 346 is far less the service had originally estimated prior to
sequestration."
The Air Force was acting expeditiously upon direction from
the Secretary of Defense to procure enough aircraft to meet the increasing
number of combat air patrols the Service was being tasked to provide.
The Air Force requested funds to procure 83 more of the ISR
workhorse in its fiscal year 2015 President's Budget Request.
With its significant loiter time, wide-range sensors,
multi-mode communications suite and precision weapons, the MQ-9 provides a
unique capability to perform strike, coordination and reconnaissance against
high-value, fleeting and time-sensitive targets.
"There isn't a Combatant Commander that doesn't want
more of this capability," said Col. Ed Thomas, spokesman for the Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. "The
need for ISR remains a top requirement for our theater commanders and our
national leaders."
A dynamic and volatile threat environment created a demand
for the platform.
"The MQ-9 has played a vital role in combat operations
and has resulted in saving American and coalition lives overseas," said
Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Michael Vickers. "This is a capability that is in high
demand."
"The MQ-9 Reaper is a success story," said Otto.
"The soldiers and Marines love it. Combatant Commanders want more of it.
We’re working hard to make more, as directed by the Secretary of Defense.”
The aircraft has made significant contributions to mission
success.
“The MQ-9 has made tremendous contributions in combat
operations, which has saved countless American and coalition lives, said Otto.
“Over its lifetime, the Reaper has flown nearly 700,000 hours, most of those in
combat operations, and continues to prove its worth daily in operations over
Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa."
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