Buchanan said he is working with other services to find a solution, one that will deconflict aircraft by altitude, space, and time, and allow large aircraft to identify smaller craft at radar range. There are flight rules in this kind of airspace, he pointed out, and not everyone now flying UAVs in the theater is a rated pilot who understands that. Buchanan said the Air Force wants to educate other UAV fliers about the grid system. The basic message: If a smaller UAV is going into a restricted space, its pilot had better be talking to someone who is keeping track of all aircraft locations. (Read here about the Keyhole Concept used in air operations over Fallujah.)
As Congress looks to delay passage of a new federal funding package until after the November elections, the Air Force is warning that even a three-month gap would harm national defense. “[Continuing resolutions] immediately disrupt major exercises and training events, affect readiness and maintenance, curtail hiring and recruitment actions, and…