French unmanned aircraft protect Bagram Airmen, coalition forces
Airmen of the French unmanned aircraft system operational squadron here are active on patrols in the sky over Afghanistan looking for any movement that could mean danger to friendly troops as they provide coalition and International Security Assistance Force troops with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
"We provide important information to soldiers about what is on the ground ahead of them and around them from a god's eye view," said French air force Lt. Col. Cyril Carcy, the French UAS operational squadron commander.
The UAS squadron stationed at Bagram Airfield demonstrates the French military's commitment to coalition forces and the importance of the mission here.
Several dozen French air force members fly, maintain and monitor the handful of unmanned aircraft deployed here. The French UAS is similar to the U.S. Air Force MQ-1 Predator, as the French model is an all-weather platform that can loiter over an area all day and night.
The unmanned aircraft features an anti-icing system on the wings and has a fully automated takeoff and landing routine aided by a Global Positioning Satellite system. The unmanned aircraft is referred to by its pilots as a "Harfang," or snowy arctic owl, reinforcing the idea of stealth.
The French UAS squadron brings with it a sense of comfort and calm to its coalition partners.
"The more eyes we have in the air, the better for all of us," said Staff Sgt. William Schroeder of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron. Sergeant Schroeder, deployed from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and native of Spencer, Iowa, provided security on the flightline near the UAS hangar. "The French contributions to the mission at Bagram are making a huge difference to our safety."
By Tech. Sgt. John Jung 455th Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs - United States Air Force
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Royal Navy uncrewed aircraft trial marks European first
UK flight test sees largest unmanned aircraft take off from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier.
-
Dubai Airshow 2023: Chinese AR-2000 large ship-borne UAV makes debut
CATIC have displayed its new AR-2000 drone at Dubai Airshow 2023, emphasising ship-based capabilities with PLA already purchasing.
-
Australian Triton takes to the skies
Australia has ordered four Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton UAS which can operate as an uncrewed maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) alongside the country’s in-service Boeing P-8A MPA fleet.
-
Elistair unveils automated tethered observation UAS
The Khronos tethered UAS has been designed to be simple to use and has drawn on Elistair’s experience with hundreds of existing customers.
-
Saildrone to produce USVs in Australia from 2024
The use of long-duration Uncrewed Surface Vehicles for maritime surveillance and monitoring has become part of the fleet inventory as navies try to reduce the level of effort required to gather intelligence on areas of interest.
-
Ocius expands Bluebottle USV capabilities
A growing number of uncrewed systems have been on show at Sydney's Indo-Pacific Maritime exhibition with a select few currently being trialled to see if they can enhance the Royal Australian Navy's surveillance levels.