"The guys [at the Combined Air Operations Center] in Vicenza are dependent on UAV's. We need to make them work. We rely on them more than I thought." Lt Gen Kenneth E. Eickmann, USAF Commander, Aeronautical Systems Center 24 Oct 97

Predators Over Bosnia Deployments to Europe to support joint and combined operations in the Balkans were the major UAV “success story” of last year. This success story continues. Predator’s second deployment began in March 1996 and, though originally scheduled to end in February 1997, has been extended through February 1998. Meanwhile, Pioneer’s land-based Bosnia deployment ended in October 1996, while naval deployments continue to the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas. Predator System Evolution The configuration of Predators flying over Bosnia includes: EO/IR and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery sensors; C-band and Ku-band SATCOM on-board links (a UHF SATCOM link is being removed); and Ice-mitigation features. These capabilities reduce, but do not fully correct, Predator’s vulnerability to in-flight icing. A “weeping wing” de-icing feature, which lightly sprays the front and upper wing surface with antifreeze, will finish testing in December 1997 and become part of the baseline configuration with subsequent retrofit into all existing systems (see p. 31). Predator’s Operational Utility Predator’s primary current missions are shown at left. The system generates critical and timely live imagery and imagery-derived intelligence for operational commanders and coalition forces. Support has been provided on a near-daily basis, often when other collection sources were not available. Recent examples of Bosnia imagery are shown below. Bosnia Imagery  EO IR  SAR  Field Operations Based at Taszar in Hungary, Predator has provided surveillance and reconnaissance support, first for Operation Joint Endeavor as part of NATO’s Implementation Force (IFOR), and then for Operation Joint Guard as part of its Stabilization Force (SFOR). Operated by the Air Force Air Combat Command’s 11th Recon-naissance Squadron (RS) since September 1996, Predator has flown 294 operational missions from March 1996, when Operation Joint Endeavor began, through 30 September 1997. Area and point targets include helicopter staging areas, cantonment areas, mass grave sites, equipment assembly areas, storage sites, and personnel movements (both military and civilian). In the Fall of 1997, Predator was assessed as SFOR’s best surveillance asset. It provided the following support for SFOR operations and NATO activities: Surveillance to assist route planning and force security operations, to include the Pope’s visit in April; Monitoring trouble spots to help provide early warning of crises; Monitoring of polling stations and access routes during September’s municipal elections; Supporting U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright’s October visit to Brcko with security assistance, force protection and force monitoring; and High-resolution day/night imaging of weapons cantonment areas, to ensure compliance with the Dayton Accords. A Predator taxis from its hangar in Taszar, Hungary Airspace Management. From the beginning, integration of Predator flights into Balkan airspace has employed time and space control procedures to ensure deconfliction with other air traffic. Predator is flight-controlled by its Ground Control Station (GCS) along route- and altitude-specific air corridors through international airspace to and from its operating areas over Bosnia. The air vehicle (AV) takes off into Hungarian airspace, traverses Croatian airspace via a narrow corridor, enters Bosnian airspace via a single fixed-time entry and exit point to perform its missions, and reverses the route for recovery. A combination of established procedures, continuing liaison with air traffic control authorities and real-time coordination of changes assures safety while covering the tasked targets. Dynamic Retasking. The mission continues to evolve and overall capabilities continue to improve. The 72-hour air tasking message (ATM) cycle time required during Predator’s first deployment (to Gjader, Albania) has been overtaken by “dynamic” or “in-flight retasking,” which allows a tactical commander to direct the AV and/or its sensors, by telephone, while watching their down-linked video. Its imagery is disseminated by a Trojan Spirit II terminal through the Joint Broadcast System (JBS) to theater and international command and control (C2) facilities. This provides near-real-time control of the UAV from virtually anywhere. Predator's Ground Control Station at Taszar, Hungary