The Air Force’s Predator unmanned aerial vehicle fleet deployed to support operations in Iraq in June flew 3,279 hours and more that 175 combat sorties, reports MSgt. Steve Horton. The airmen of the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Balad AB, Iraq, say that was a record month for the Predator, but the July flying hours surpassed the June numbers, reaching more than 3,300 hours. Maj. Jon Dagley, 46th ERS commander, says, “Currently, the Predator is the most requested asset in theater,” predicting that “the demand will only continue to skyrocket.”
The Senate Armed Services subcommittee on strategic forces heard testimony from the Defense Department’s top missile defense leaders and demanded to know why the Missile Defense Agency's proposed $9.6 billion fiscal 2023 budget will not yield more reliable defense against hypersonic weapons already being fielded by adversaries, including Russia on…