UK Considers Training UAV Pilots On Its Own

UK Considers Training UAV Pilots On Its Own

Controllers of the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)

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The UK is due to purchase in excess of 20 new Reaper-derived Certifiable Predator B UAVs, and is considering introducing its own training system to support this.

As the number of slots available to foreign allies at the US Air Force’s unmanned air vehicle training school continues to be limited, the UK is considering establishing its own domestic capability, ahead of a planned acquisition of a new fleet of remotely piloted aircraft.

According to UASVision, Royal Air Force personnel are currently trained to operate the service’s 10-strong fleet of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Block 1 MQ-9 Reapers at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, but the USAF’s well-known UAV pilot shortage has forced it to ration the slots available, prioritising its own needs.

MQ-9 and MQ-1 training is provided by CAE. Gene Colabatistto, group president for defence and security, says that conversations are under way to help understand what the UK would require.

Other operators of the MQ-9 are also considering their options in light of the USAF availability challenges. Italy has already acquired a zero flight simulator from CAE to carry out training domestically. Italy operates the Predator and will soon operate the Hammerhead, but has not yet made a decision on its training requirements for the latter.

It has been predicted for some time that Rome may position itself as a training hub for UAVs, offering the simulator capability – plus available airspace – to other nations.

CAE has also bid for UAV training work in the United Arab Emirates. Training will be provided to pilots with no prior experience.