Latest "RPA" stories

New legislation aims to give drone crews tax-free combat pay

Pilots and sensor operators in any branch of the armed forces, who work on any RPA fleet used in designated areas of conflict, would be eligible for tax-free income.

By Rachel S. Cohen

16 months ago

Maj. General Chad P. Franks, 15th Air Force commander, Col. Stephen Jones, outgoing 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, and Col. Eric Schmidt, incoming 432nd WG/432nd AEW commander, salute during the 432nd WG/432nd AEW change-of-command ceremony at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, May 20, 2021. (Senior Airman William Rio Rosado/Air Force)

Air Force investigating unnamed drone safety ‘incident’ at Creech

A remotely piloted aircraft assigned to Creech Air Force Base’s 432nd Wing was involved in an unspecified mishap shortly before 8 a.m. March 9.

By Rachel S. Cohen

19 months ago

Air Force previews plan to phase out enlisted drone pilots

Congress appears likely to let the Air Force ditch 24 of its 31 RQ-4 Global Hawks soon.

By Rachel S. Cohen

22 months ago

Following Niger ambush, Pentagon promises more air support in Africa

After contact with the enemy, it took an hour and a half for the first American aircraft to arrive overhead the battlefield where four U.S. soldiers were killed near the village of Tongo Tongo, Niger, on Oct. 4.

By Kyle Rempfer

5 years ago

Air Force deployed mysterious drone to Afghanistan to catch terrorists planting roadside bombs

You may not have heard of Silver Fang, but aviation mishap data obtained by Military Times shows the drone has spent a lot of time in the Middle East.

By Valerie Insinna

5 years ago

As Predator drones retire, the Reapers’ mission grows

With the retirement of MQ-1 Predators this month, MQ-9 Reapers are executing deliberate strikes, providing armed overwatch or close-air support, and flexing to ISR taskings — all in a single mission.

By Kyle Rempfer

6 years ago