The Predator drone. This unmanned aircraft has been the face of the United States drone program since inception. Originally designated the RQ-1 Predator now bears the classification of MQ-1C Predator as it has evolved in scope and purpose since the drone’s inception. Originally planned as a strict reconnaissance drone, the war in Afghanistan saw the Predator drone evolve to carry hellfire missiles, earning the new classification as MQ-1. However, that does not mean the Predator drone is a strict attack drone, the Predator drone still conducts reconnaissance missions in addition to live fire missions.
The MQ-1C Predator drone and its predecessors have seen combat time wherever United States troops have been deployed since 2000. Whether conducting live fire missions in Afghanistan circa 2002 to conducting reconnaissance in the modern day fractured Iraq the MQ-1 Predator drones have been a force multiplier on the same level as the advent of the helicopter. Like many drones, and the future of the United States drone program in general, the MQ-1C Predator can be deployed to support troops in combat, to assist troops with real-time enemy movement, can cruise at a higher altitude than most RPGs can hit, all while never putting the controller of the drone nor the drones support maintenance staff on location at risk. This drone’s capabilities, of projecting force while keeping US service personnel at a safe distance, is only rivaled by fellow drones. US Army attack helicopters can perform many of the same tasks as a MQ-1C Predator drone but at a lower altitude. In the rugged hills of Afghanistan or the mountainous regions of Yemen (both areas where the drone operates) helicopters are more susceptible to ground fire as well as natural occurrences such as sand storms, which can play havoc with a helicopters blade system.
For the MQ-1C Predator drone’s capabilities the price per unit is unmatched throughout the US military at 6.6 million US dollars. Comparatively, the US Apache helicopter, the workhorse of attack helicopters for the US Army since the 1980’s costs 52 million US dollars per unit. This is not a criticism of the Apache, or other attack helicopters, but a realization of the future development of US air power in the 21st century and beyond. The MQ-1C Predator drone can do many tasks that an Apache can do with lesser cost and much less risk to US personnel involved in a live fire mission. This drone, like others, also can fly for 24 continuous hours something an attack helicopter cannot do for both reasons of fuel and that they are manned. Having someone attempt to fly a helicopter for 24 straight hours, even if it was possible with fuel, sounds like a terrible idea.
One day, probably in the near future with the development of technology, the MQ-1 series of Predator drones will be only remembered as birth of the US drone program. Like many military pieces of equipment of the past the missions the Predator drone accomplished will be forgotten. More poignantly, the countless US military personnel the Predator drone has saved, either by conducting high risk missions usually reserved for helicopters or providing immediate air support to troops under fire will also be forgotten. But that doesn’t mean we should forget as the troops will not have forgotten the force, the protective shield, the Predator drone has provided since its inception.