Τα UAVs κρίσιμα για το Αφγανιστάν

UAVs critical for Afghanistan
Published in the North County Times on April 20, 2009

In the skies above Iraq and Afghanistan, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are providing
America's military forces with a significant advantage over our terrorist enemies. UAVs are
flying more than 30 missions a day in both of these regions, providing video surveillance, fire
support and enhanced combat capability to our soldiers and Marines. Most importantly, these
assets are saving American lives on the battlefield.
By 2005, the greatest threat to coalition forces in Iraq, as well as the primary source of
combat casualties, was Improvised Explosive Devices ---- remotely detonated munitions that
allow insurgents to engage targets from a distance. In direct response to this threat, the U.S.
Army launched Task Force Odin in 2006 at the insistence of Congress to provide persistent
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance of Iraq's roadways through use of UAVs and
several other resources.
Since then, more than 3,000 insurgents have been captured or killed, and coalition deaths
attributable to roadside bomb attacks decreased by 85 percent.
Task Force Odin was a success by all measures and further demonstrates the effectiveness of
UAVs in today's fight against terrorism. Now that greater attention is shifting to Afghanistan,
particularly with the addition of another 20,000 U.S. combat troops, we must learn from our
experiences and fully implement a surveillance strategy that effectively mitigates roadside bomb
attacks and quickly covers rugged terrain along the Afghan-Pakistan border.
As the core component of persistent surveillance coverage, UAV platforms must be fully
integrated into the escalating combat mission in Afghanistan. Department of Defense Secretary
Robert Gates recently announced his intention to strengthen surveillance coverage in the
region, but doing so will require additional resources. Congress and the Defense Department
must make this a priority, as well as developing the UAVs of the future.
Congressional Initiative
Perhaps the most effective UAV platform utilized by the U.S. military today is the Predator
series. Its origin can be traced to the Defense Research Projects Agency in the early 1980s.
However, it was Congress ---- not the Defense Department ---- that largely influenced and
supported the continued development of Predator UAVs and other unmanned aerial assets over
the next 20 years.
In 1987, Congress withheld all UAV funding until the Defense Department created a Joint
Program Office (JPO) for UAV development. The formation of this particular JPO ---- which
consolidated several disparate UAV development programs supported by the Defense
Department ---- moved UAVs out of the testing phase and toward production.

UAVs critical for Afghanistan
UAVs were soon flying over the Balkans and the full potential of these platforms was quickly
realized. These operations also prompted the next logical step in development ---- arming these
platforms.
In 1996, the House Armed Services Committee supported legislation directing the Defense
Department to arm Predator and Hunter UAVs, an initiative that the Defense Department
strongly opposed at the time. Despite this initial opposition, the Defense Department has since
changed its opinion on arming UAVs and now supports advancing unmanned aerial assets that
are capable of carrying additional armament.
Through years of supporting program development and production, Congress consistently
advanced UAV technology against bureaucratic interests that would have undoubtedly delayed
or limited its progress. That support is what ultimately harnessed the full potential and power of
UAV technology, and transformed these platforms into some of our most reliable and effective
military assets.
The next generation of UAVs
The arrival of additional combat troops in Afghanistan over the next couple months means that
more combat infrastructure will be needed to support their daily operations. Secretary Gates
has publicly indicated his support for increasing surveillance and UAV operations in
Afghanistan, and it is important that Congress reinforce its commitment to this technology
through program funding and oversight.
We must also press forward with the development of the next generation of UAVs, including the
Predator C. During my service in the Marine Corps, I engaged targets with the Predator A and B
Series, and I recognize the advantages offered by Predator C. This particular series is designed
to provide covert capability, carry more munitions, and operate at faster repositioning speeds to
improve flexibility and survivability.
Yet, recent reports in the North County Times criticize my support, as well as that of other
lawmakers, for improving UAV technology. Let me clarify these reports. My support for this
initiative is based on my experience as a Marine officer in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the critical
contribution of UAVs to our nation's wartime mission. Additionally, the fact that some of these
resources are manufactured in San Diego County is a benefit to our local workforce and
economy.
The only benefactors of this technology are the men and women of America's military. They are
the ones that rely on the capability of UAVs for protection and mission support. Advancing UAV
technology will help maintain their advantage on the battlefield while ensuring our military is
prepared to face the threats of the 21st century.

Rep. Duncan D. Hunter is a Republican congressman from El Cajon.