US plans to deploy 500 drones by 2032 — Breaking Defense
In the United States, the Air Force plans to deploy 100 Massed Modular Aircraft drones by 2029 and 500 by 2032. US Air Force Secretary Troy Meink announced this at the AFA Air, Space, Cyber conference, Breaking Defense reports.
Unified control systems
The new targets significantly exceed the previous plan, which envisaged having 20 such drones in service by fiscal year 2031. US Air Force modernization chief Lieutenant General Christopher Niemi said that standardizing control interfaces would be a key factor in the development of unmanned aviation.
According to him, different aircraft models should be operated through a common interface, similar to using a keyboard and mouse rather than traditional levers and a control stick. This is intended to allow a single operator to work with different types of drones.
The US Marine Corps is also developing its own drone fleet for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, seeking to rely less on contractors. Major Michael Zbonak said that the Marine Corps is working with industry on a software solution for a common controller that will allow military personnel to transfer control of drones when needed.
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Space intelligence and defense
The report also discusses the importance of satellite intelligence and countering threats in space. Space intelligence is handled by Delta 7 of the US Space Force, whose squadrons monitor the activities of potential adversaries, analyze threats, and support integrated fires and combat operations.
The US Space Force is tracking the capabilities of China and Russia, the aggressor state, in space. According to an information sheet released in July, China has more than 500 satellites with optical, multispectral, radar and radio-frequency sensors. Russia has tested anti-satellite missiles and ground-based lasers that can blind reconnaissance satellites tracking possible missile launches.
Troy Meink also said that the United States has space control weapons in orbit capable of protecting joint forces from hostile actions.
