Pioneer unmanned air vehicle accomplishments during Operation Desert Storm

James H. Christner

doi:10.1117/12.48706

1 December 1991 Pioneer unmanned air vehicle accomplishments during Operation Desert Storm

James H. Christner

Proceedings Volume 1538, Airborne Reconnaissance XV; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.48706
Event: San Diego, '91, 1991, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

This paper will describe the accomplishments and lessons learned of the Pioneer Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The Pioneer UAV has been deployed with three branches of the U.S. military (USA, USN, and USMC) for the past four years. Although the system has compiled over 6,000 flight hours, the recent conflict in the Gulf is the first opportunity to demonstrate its true value in a combat scenario. In a relatively short time (42 days), 307 flights and 1,011 flight hours were completed on Operation Desert Storm. This, coupled with the accuracy of various weapons systems that Pioneer observed/cued for, resulted in timely target engagements. This paper will chronicle the Pioneer deployment and accomplishments on Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Various employment methods, tactics, doctrine, and lessons learned will be presented.

Citation Download Citation

James H. Christner "Pioneer unmanned air vehicle accomplishments during Operation Desert Storm", Proc. SPIE 1538, Airborne Reconnaissance XV, (1 December 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.48706

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