Intense combat causing US drone operators to quit, placing future operations ‘at risk’
THE United States’ fleet of killer drones — and their human handlers — are at ‘breaking point’ after 15 years of non-stop combat, according to a leaked memo.
THE United States’ fleet of killer robots — and their human handlers — are at ‘breaking point’ after 15 years of non-stop combat, according to a leaked memo.
The Daily Beast says it has an internal US defence force memo suggesting the remote-controlled arm of the military is starting to show cracks, even as the need for their prying eyes and pinpoint strikes ramps up in the struggle against the Islamic State.
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The report states there are enough drones to meet demand — though the uncomplaining robots are needing more and more maintenance as the wear-and-tear of extended operations takes its toll.
It’s their fleshy overlords and the US economy that are cracking under the pressure.
Demand is so great, US Air Combat Command (ACC) says it is facing a ‘perfect storm’ of budget cutbacks, staff turnover and heightened demand.
“(This) will damage the readiness and combat capability of the MQ-1/9 (Predator and Reaper drones) enterprise for years to come,” the memo reads.
Air force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh reportedly states in the memo that he is “extremely concerned” at the future of the “combat viability” of the drone program.
His fleet is expected to keep 65 drone combat air patrols constantly active. The general now wants this figure cut to 62.
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The problem is, each robotic combat aircraft requires a team of 10 trained pilots and support staff to maintain its operations around the clock. Current staffing levels are failing to meet the designated minimum staffing level of 8.5 personnel per drone.
ACC News Now 31 December 2014: http://t.co/KR4tDutonX via @YouTube
— Air Combat Command (@USAF_ACC) December 31, 2014Essentially, they only have seven pilots available for every eight robotic aircraft. It’s a problem now extending to the overworked mechanics, sensor operators and intelligence analysts associated with the drone program.
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“This directly violates our red line for (remotely pilot aircraft) manning and combat operations,” the general writes.
Drone operators have been treated like machines, having their leave cancelled and compulsory, career-critical, training sessions postponed in an effort to keep bums on seats.
The outcome, instead, has been a dramatic increase in specialised staff quitting.
Staffing levels are now so dire, military drone schools are being plundered for fresh operators long before they complete their training programs.
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Meanwhile, the robotic fleet — increasingly seen as the most politically palatable option in many theatres of conflict — drones on.
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