The Writing Is On The Wall (Part Deux)

Unmanned aircraft system technology continues to mature at an amazing pace. Case in point: the Boeing A160T “Hummingbird” Unmanned Aerial Vehicle pictured above. Just perusing the unclassified performance specifications of this thing is enough to blow my mind. Boeing has fielded an unmanned helicopter that flies (much) higher, faster, longer, and quieter than any conventional helicopter currently in existence. I want one! Cool thing is, I’m not the only one. Apparently the U.S. Special Forces Command (SOCOM) will be taking delivery of ten units this month. Mirroring my sentiments of barely two weeks ago: I suggest the writing is officially on the wall for manned military aircraft. Quick note to SOCOM: give me eight months or so to finish Advanced Flight Training and I’ll be more than happy to “fly” one of these things for you folks!

For more information, please check out this fascinating article: http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/11/special-forces.html#more

Fleet Fly-In Photos

Here are a few photos from the 2008 Gulf Coast Fleet Fly-In that was held at NAS Whiting Field a few weeks ago. Of course, that’s me checking out the Navy’s latest and greatest rotary-wing assets. Hopefully one day soon I will be flying one of these very same aircraft in the Fleet. But maybe I should learn to fly a training helicopter first before I get too far ahead of myself!

MH-60R and MH-60S SEAHAWK helicopters

Veterans Day

"The Missing Man Formation"

The Writing Is On The Wall!

For those of you who one day aspire to pilot a UAV for the military it appears you now have more chances than ever before. In a press release the US Air Force reports that the US Navy has purchased two unmanned RQ-4 "Global Hawk" Unmanned Aircraft Systems and has begun training Naval Aviators to operate them.

Bear in mind, however, that the Navy hasn’t begun handing out "UAV Operator" slots to Primary graduates…yet, although I understand the Air Force recently has. Granted, "I'm just an Ensign," but my guess is that day will come, and I suggest it will be sooner than most of us think. Please don’t get me wrong: I'm all about using technology to reduce procurement, operating, and maintenance costs while minimizing operator risk.

That is, of course, unless a few "Global Hawks" band together over the internet and decide to destroy humanity! I’m being facetious, of course, but you have to admit that would be a killer plot for a movie franchise…hmmm. Anyway, I just wanted to let anyone out there who aspires to actually be in the Naval aircraft they are flying know they still can…for now. The writing is on the wall!

Please don't forget that tomorrow is Veterans Day. And to all the Marines out there: Happy Birthday Devil Dogs!

Oh yeah, that press release is available at http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123123452