Airmen with the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Balad AB, Iraq, man the sensor seat in the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle ground station—controlling the infrared and electro optical sensors, the laser range designator, and laser target monitor. The Balad crews also launch the UAV, getting it to its correct altitude and verify the satellite link before turning control over to pilots in Nevada. Once an armed Predator launched its Hellfire missile, the Balad sensor operators guide the weapon via laser. (Read more here.)
A combined Navy and Air Force program is seeking to build a smaller version of a ubiquitous air-to-air missile that could give advanced aircraft, such as the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, greater magazine depth in a high-end fight.