PREDATOR HIGHLIGHTS
11 RS activated at Indian Springs AFAF - Jul 95
USAF assigned residual Predator ACTD assets - Jul 96
11RS assumes JOINT ENDEAVOR operation at Taszar HU - Sep 96
Delivered training system to Indian Springs AFAF- Dec 96
15 RS activated at Indian Springs AFAF - Jun 97
System 5 delivered to Indian Springs AFAF - Jul 98
PMRT to Big Safari - Sep 98
Delivery schedule slipped - 8 Dec 98
15 RS deployed to Kuwait Jan - Apr 99
Three systems supporting NOBLE ANVIL
Earliest possible start for OT&E is Mid 00
Notes:
In the summerof 1996 the Air Force was given responsibility for the remaining assets from the Predator Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD). Just two months later, 11RS took command of the Predator system deployed at Taszar, Hungary, in support of the Bosnian peace efforts of Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR and now JOINT GUARD. Those assets have been at Taszar since March ’96 and were under control of the Navy-led UAV Joint Program Office prior to the September turnover. As you see, the Taszar system has flown nearly 250 missions and 2100 hours in theater.
At the end of last year, the ACC, 57WG, and 11RS staffs worked to deliver the Air Force’s first operational Predator system to the squadron’s main operating base at Indian Springs when the Predator training system moved from Ft Huachuca. Once the moving boxes were unpacked, we began our first Air Force formal training class for air vehicle operators, payload operators, and maintainers this past February.
While this was occurring, high-level DOD and Air Force interest in the program continued, as Service Acquisition Executive (SAE) duties were transferred from the Navy to SAF/AQ and program management is transferred from the Navy led JPO to Big Safari.