Plan would add 3,500 Reaper pilots and up to five more ops centers around the country.
December 11, 2015 By Patrick Tucker
The U.S. Air Force wants to dramatically increase the number of drones ….
http://www.defenseone.com/technology/2015/12/us-air-force-ask-more-drones/124424/?oref=d-topictop
…...drones, drone crews, and drone bases that collect intelligence and conduct strikes on groups like ISIS. On Thursday, the Los Angeles Times and other outlets reported on plans to add 75 MQ-9 Reaper drones to its current fleet of 175 (plus 150 Predators). The service is also looking to add 3,500 Reaper personnel, create nine squadrons to add to today’s eight, and open new operations centers at bases around the country. It’s all part of a $3 billion plan to meet the rapidly growing demand for drone operations.