Unmanned aircraft dazzles spectators in Paris

Within the United States aircraft coral at the 47th International Paris Air Show, one aircraft stands out from the rest.

***image1***The MQ-1 Predator is the only unmanned Department of Defense aircraft showcased with its entire maintenance crew at the air show.

“Where does the pilot sit?” asked an onlooker. There is no seat. The significance of this unmanned aerial vehicle is its ability to protect our Airman by performing without human cargo.

A lot of public interest was directed at this aircraft capable of 24 hours of overhead coverage to accomplish search and surveillance, reconnaissance, weapons delivery, battle damage assessment and targeting.

“We put warheads on foreheads,” said Staff Sgt. Angelo Munoz, from the 432nd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Creech Air Base, Nev.

Sergeant Munoz, who is in charge of the Predator, was more than happy to answer questions to air show attendees who were eager to learn more about this unique piece of equipment. 

Staff Sgt. Patrick Perry outlined how effective the Predator really is.

“Wherever we can have a satellite we can work,” he said. “So, we can fly anywhere in the world. We can take it apart like a model airplane, pack it up, ship it anywhere, put it together and be operational within eight hours.”

With its superiority in functional capabilities, transportation, and personnel safety it is no wonder that the United States Air Force employs more than 100 of these technical marvels.