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Present
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Excused
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Absent
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Present outside of combat unit
Objectives
Provide UAS ISR & CAS
Accidents
1x MQ-9 : Shot down by enemy igla
1x RQ-4: Shot down by Enemy AA north of airfield (possible igla)
Areas of Strength
Pre-mission planning with "Shade" to develop attack plan
Comms with ground unit are getting better as UAS CAS & ISR capabilities are learned and exploited
Areas of Weakness
Short client side view distance of 5km is causing the UAS(s) to have to push closer into an altitude of 3.5km which is allowing enemy shoulder fired AA to become problematic.
With the short view distance for aircraft being locked at 5km, an altitude increase to 4km or the suggested 4.1 or above becomes problematic 1: because it leaves a only a small swath of terrain to scan within the sensors view distance and 2: at the higher vertical depression angles the sensor becomes uncontrollable
Altitude and Loiter automation (REQUIRED FOR UAS TO FUNTION PROPERLY) were the worst seen yet so far. This caused 1x RQ-4 to fly to close to the target area at a low altitude and then got shot down. The first 30-45 minutes of operations was spent fighting the autonomous controller, when we should have been on station providing ISR for the AA emplacements.
Suggested Improvements
Real discussion of lack of UAS countermeasures an alternatives / Higher (AIRCRAFT ONLY) client side view distance increase.
Altitude is the UAS alternative countermeasure and the only one available since 2x Crew member flight support is unavailable.
Mission Summary
3CAB SB Provided ISR with RQ-4 and MQ-9.
MQ-9 provided CAS for punchline: EKIA: 3x PAX (AA) , 1x Technical w/ DSHK, 1x ZU-23 (on rooftop)
MQ-9 was setting up for GBU ripple fire on OBJ TURBO in order to cleanse the village of multiple AA system when it was shot down by guided AA
Overall Sentiment
NEGATIVE