Predator Drone
The Influence of the MQ-1A Predator on Modern Warfare
Kevin Griffiths
United States Military History
Fr. Zeps, S.J.
2 April 2012
The General Atomics MQ-1B Predator is a revolutionary unmanned aerial vehicle that has changed the very nature of warfare in the United States. The MQ-1 Predator drone was initially developed as a reconnaissance aircraft for the Central Intelligence Agency, designed to be a very light vehicle with a number of intelligent sensors to stealthily gather intelligence. However, since it’s development in the early 1990s, the Predator has undergone a number of variations and upgrades to take on a multitude of roles. Specifically, the United States Air Force describes the Predator as “uniquely qualified to conduct irregular warfare operations in support of Combatant Commander objectives”[1]. As public opinion continues to favor the value of every American soldier’s life, the MQ-1B Predator has had a profound impact on the United States Armed Forces. Though the concept of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles existed almost as soon as airplanes were developed, they were severely limited in their roles until the Vietnam War. By that time, the development of the “Lightning Bug” spy planes had been sufficiently developed for use in Vietnam and southern China. The Lightning Bug drones had numerous advantages, such as various countermeasure systems, a low cost, and little risk for the controlling crew[2]. The United States used the Lightning Bug drones on over a thousand missions during the Vietnam War, though some led to an emphasis on developing new UAV programs. The Lightning Bug employed a very basic control program, the first model developed operated on a timer, and would simply turn around after a certain amount of time had elapsed. Later models could be controlled by radio, though the drones had a short control range. The largest limitation of the Frisbee was that it could not take off
Kevin Griffiths
United States Military History
Fr. Zeps, S.J.
2 April 2012
The General Atomics MQ-1B Predator is a revolutionary unmanned aerial vehicle that has changed the very nature of warfare in the United States. The MQ-1 Predator drone was initially developed as a reconnaissance aircraft for the Central Intelligence Agency, designed to be a very light vehicle with a number of intelligent sensors to stealthily gather intelligence. However, since it’s development in the early 1990s, the Predator has undergone a number of variations and upgrades to take on a multitude of roles. Specifically, the United States Air Force describes the Predator as “uniquely qualified to conduct irregular warfare operations in support of Combatant Commander objectives”[1]. As public opinion continues to favor the value of every American soldier’s life, the MQ-1B Predator has had a profound impact on the United States Armed Forces. Though the concept of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles existed almost as soon as airplanes were developed, they were severely limited in their roles until the Vietnam War. By that time, the development of the “Lightning Bug” spy planes had been sufficiently developed for use in Vietnam and southern China. The Lightning Bug drones had numerous advantages, such as various countermeasure systems, a low cost, and little risk for the controlling crew[2]. The United States used the Lightning Bug drones on over a thousand missions during the Vietnam War, though some led to an emphasis on developing new UAV programs. The Lightning Bug employed a very basic control program, the first model developed operated on a timer, and would simply turn around after a certain amount of time had elapsed. Later models could be controlled by radio, though the drones had a short control range. The largest limitation of the Frisbee was that it could not take off
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