Air Force Set to Retire MQ-1 Predator UAS in 2018
The Air Force has announced that it will retire the MQ-1 Predator UAS early next year. The UAS, which has been flown for the last 21 years, will be replaced with the MQ-9 Reaper, which the Air Force has been flying for the last decade.
“Right now the plan is to stop flying the MQ-1 in 2018, and that means we need to get transitioned this year,” says Air Force Lt. Col. James, the 20th Attack Squadron commander, via the U.S. Department of Defense. The 20th Attack Squadron is transitioning from the MQ-1 to the MQ-9.
“As part of that, we are going to stop flying the MQ-1 completely by July 1, 2017. We will gradually stand up our number of combat lines on the MQ-9, so by the end of the year we are only an MQ-9 squadron.”
The MQ-9 meets the current needs of the Air Force better than the MQ-1, because of its increased speed, its ability to carry more munitions and because it is equipped with high-definition sensors.
According to Air Force Col. Joseph, the 432nd Operations Group commander, the move to retire the MQ-1 comes from the constant need to be ready in the battlefield.
“If we talk about the things we could be ready for and what we should be asking our attack squadrons to do, then transitioning to an all MQ-9 force is imperative for readiness,” he says.
Joseph explains that a number of factors have contributed to the MQ-9 becoming the main system used by the Air Force, chief among them, the MQ-9 being better built for more precise close air support engagements from the attack squadrons.
“The reason that the MQ-9 has turned into a [close air support] platform, and this is the key point, is the fusion of two things,” Joseph says.
“The first thing is the technology. We took an airplane and outfitted it with more raw power and capability, but then we did the other half and matted that technology with a professional aircrew.”
Joseph also says that combatant commanders and troops on the ground have developed a trust in the MQ-9, which is invaluable in an ever changing and evolving battlespace.
Overall, the MQ-9 is a major upgrade of the MQ-1 in a variety of areas. The MQ-1 has a 200-pound payload, and was not originally designed to carry weapons, resulting in limited attack capabilities. The MQ-9 does not have that same issue, as it has a 4,000-pound payload, and can also carry missiles and bombs.
While the MQ-1 Predator’s run is coming to an end, it did plenty of good during its use with the Air Force.
“The MQ-1 is a great example where the Air Force took a technology demonstrator and turned it into a major weapons system having daily effects on the battlefield,” says Lt. Col. James of the 20th Attack Squadron.
“We have found how to fly an imperfect weapons system very well, and I think we have maximized the effectiveness that we can get out of the MQ-1. I have no doubt that we will continue to find ways to be more effective in combat with the MQ-9.”
