Smaller UAVs Proving Their Worth in Afghanistan and Iraq, Says U.S. Army | Aviation International News

Smaller UAVs Proving Their Worth in Afghanistan and Iraq, Says U.S. Army

Responding to an urgent operational requirement generated by the “surge” of American troops in Afghanistan, the U.S.

The U.S. Army has ordered 180 of the new AeroVironment Puma, a hand-launched, unmanned aircraft system, for Afghanistan operations. (Photo: AeroVironment)

August 22, 2011

"Surges" of Puma and Raven small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) are boosting U.S. Army operations in Afghanistan. Responding to an urgent operational requirement there, the Army has ordered 180 new Puma systems to protect route clearance patrols from IEDs. This follows earlier urgent requirements for the two aircraft, manufactured by AeroVironment, of Monrovia, Calif.

There are 72 Puma systems in-theater and 14 more destined for Afghanistan, said Army Major Jeff Poquette last week at the Unmanned Systems North America conference in Washington, D.C. Each Puma system consists of three air vehicles and two ground-control systems. Poquette said that the Puma has been so effective in route-clearance operations that the Army decided to equip every maneuver company in Afghanistan with the system.

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