Drones - USAF on the increase - Curt Lewis

Air Force proposes $3-billion plan to vastly expand its drone program

After taxiing in an MQ-9 Reaper, Airman 1st Class Jon Mann walks under a Reaper's wing at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M.

Pilots and crews who operate the U.S. fleet of MQ-1 Predators and MQ-9 Reapers have struggled to meet rising demand. A $3-billion plan, which must be approved by Congress, would vastly expand the Air Force's drone program over the next five years. (Senior Airman Andrew Lee / U.S. Air Force)
W.J. Hennigan W.J. HenniganContact Reporter

The Air Force wants to vastly expand its drone program over the next five years by doubling the number of pilots and deploying them to bases in California and elsewhere to give commanders better intelligence and more firepower.

The $3-billion plan, which must be approved by Congress, was unveiled Thursday after months of study that focused on a drone pilot force that commanders have described as overworked, undermanned and underappreciated.