Prepare for war with China and Russian Federation: Dron MQ-9 first flew from the highway instead of the runway
The US Army has long been looking for ways to maintain an advantage in the air in cases where there are no access to airfields and prepared runways, for example, during a conflict with conditionally equal opponents such as Russia or China. From April 30 to May 2, she arranged a study called Agile Chariot in two sections of the highway in Weiming, in which MQ-9 was involved, special purpose transport MC-130J Commando II, two A-10C Thunderbolt II assault -6m Little Bird.
The US military reported that the operators of the 2nd squadron of special operations, which is part of the 919th wing of special operations in Duke-Field, Florida, managed to successfully plant the drone MQ-9 on the highway for the first time in history as other planes. Military transport was filled, re -armed and again lifted into the sky from the road. The reverse flight was made by 65 squadron from Hurlbert-Field, Florida.
The combination of manned aircraft and drones during the military exercises is also new, but The Drive believes that they will often work together in the near future. "Opportunities demonstrated during Agile Chariot show how MQ-9 can start and refuel in remote places, as well as expand their prompt reach for the protection of American interests around the world," said Lieutenant Colonel David Pain.
Lieutenant Colonel Brian Flanigan added that one of the main advantages of Reaper is his versatility, as he can maintain intelligence, observation and reconstruction, as well as directly strike the air. And the opportunity to fly and sit on the highway will allow them to use them far from aerodromes. Earlier, the US Army launched 49 fighters and percussion UAVs to demonstrate a force called "Elephant". She showed that the US is ready to use a large amount of aviation in military operations.