Drones

Congress Approves Sale of Reaper Drones to France

By AFP

From AFP:  Plans to sell US Reaper drones to France advanced Monday as Congress raised no objections to the contract, Pentagon officials said.

US Drone Base in Niger Plays Critical Role in French Operation in Mali

By Eric Schmitt, New York Times

From Eric Schmitt, New York Times:  Nearly every day, and sometimes twice daily, an unarmed American drone soars skyward from a secluded military airfield here, starting a surveillance mission of 10 hours or more to track fighters affiliated with Al Qaeda and other militants in neighboring Mali.

Pentagon Notified Congress of Request from France to Buy 16 Reaper Drones

By Defense Security Cooperation Agency

From Defense Security Cooperation Agency:  The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to France of 16 MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft

Germany Foils Miniature Drone Terrorist Attacks

By Spiegel

From Spiegel:  German officials on Tuesday targeted two men suspected of planning to carry out terrorist attacks using remote-controlled model airplanes.

The Age of Gloom? Implications for Key NATO Armies

By Ben Barry, RUSI

From Ben Barry, RUSI:  [W]hilst the other two services can attack enemy land forces, only armies can defeat them.

New Strategic Triad for the US

By James Stavridis, Foreign Policy

From James Stavridis, Foreign Policy:  As we sail more deeply into the turbulent 21st century, however, there is another triad that bears considering that will be a critical part of U.S. security in the decades to come.

German Defense Minister Says Euro Hawk Termination Partly Due to US Export Constraints

By Chris Pocock, AINonline

From Chris Pocock, AINonline:  In a report to parliament last week, German Defense Minister Thomas De Maziere called for NATO and Europe to achieve clarity on the certification and operation of UAVs.

The End of the Euro Hawk, Implications for NATO’s AGS Drone Program

By Justyna Gotkowska, Center for Eastern Studies (Poland)

Congressional Panel Seeks to Block Retirement of Global Hawk Drones

By Jeremy Herb, Hill

From Jeremy Herb, Hill:  A House Armed Services subcommittee is proposing to block the Air Force’s planned retirement of the Global Hawk Block 30 drones at the end of 2014.