The Army Wants A Massive New Complex For Its Fleet Of Drones Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/armys-unmanned-aerial-vehicle-complex-2013-1#ixzz2I96HB9VF

So the Army is taking bids on parts of its new 'Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Complex' — slated to cost between $20 and 25 million.
Mark Thompson of Time's Battleland blog jokes that this can't possibly fit into the argument that drones are cheaper than their human counterparts, because:
– Anything labeled a “complex” is not cheap.
– Anything labeled using capital letters is not a bargain.
The plans include everything one might think a drone would need — runways, taxiways, storage, security systems, etc. Here are a few of the other notables from the Army's bid request (which, notable in and of itself, is pretty much classified):
Supporting facilities include extensive phasing of the site development with on-going contractor for the FY12 Phase IUAS Hangar Complex, utilities and connections, lighting, paving, parking, walks, curbs and gutters, storm drainage, information systems, landscaping and signage. Heating and air conditioning will be provided by self-contained systems.

EADS negotiating Harfang UAV supply contract extension with France

EADS is negotiating an extension of the Harfang unmanned air vehicle (UAV) system delivery contract with the French Ministry of Defence (MoD), a senior company official has revealed.

Sales head Luc Boureau of Cassidian, an EADS defence and security unit, was quoted by Reuters confirming the company is seeking extension of UAV deliveries to the French Air Force (ALAT) until 2017.

The company is also holding talks on modification of the air force's General Atomics-built MQ-9 Reaper UAV as a makeshift solution, prior to actual deliveries of next-generation drones in the next decade, Boureau added.

Meanwhile, the French MoD refused to comment on the issue.

Powered by a single four-stroke liquid air-cooled Rotax 914 F turbocharged engine, the Harfang is a medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV designed to carry out strategic reconnaissance and tracking missions in the battlefield.

Derived from Israel Aerospace Industries-built Eagle 1 / Heron TP platform, the Harfang can be controlled either manually from the GCS or autonomously, and is integrated with a remote operations video enhanced receiver (ROVER) transmission system to broadcast video imagery in real-time to ground troops.

The drone entered operational service in June 2008 as a supplement to French RQ-5 Hunter UAV.

A total of four systems, each comprising three aerial vehicles and two ground control stations, are currently operational with the air force.

Drones Are Fueling A Global Arms Race

The success of U.S. drones in Iraq and Afghanistan has triggered a global arms race, raising concerns the remotely piloted aircraft could fall into unfriendly hands, military experts say.
The number of countries that have acquired or developed drones expanded to more than 75, up from about 40 in 2005, according to the Government Accountability Office, the investigative arm of Congress. Iran and China are among the countries that have fielded their own systems.
"People have seen the successes we've had," said Lt. Gen. Larry James, the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
The U.S. military has used drones extensively in Afghanistan, primarily to watch over enemy targets. Armed drones have been used to target terrorist leaders with missiles that are fired from miles away.
The United States is years ahead of the world in the technology of drones. Israel is also a leader in developing the unmanned aircraft.
American drones are equipped with sophisticated sensors and linked to a global network that allows their video feeds to be monitored from anywhere. Armed drones fire the latest in precision guided missiles.
Building an unmanned aircraft is only part of what is needed for a successful drone program.
"Just because you can build a remotely piloted aircraft doesn't mean you can put all this together and do something with it," James said.
Analysts warn that even a less-sophisticated drone can be dangerous. Such drones can be equipped with chemical or biological weapons or be used to provide intelligence about the location of American forces.
The GAO reports it is likely that foreign countries have used drones to spy on U.S. military activities overseas. The report did not provide specifics. "Even the less sophisticated technologies can provide useful tactical battlefield intelligence," said Thomas Melito, a GAO official.
Israeli aircraft recently shot down an Iranian-made drone launched by Hezbollah that had penetrated Israeli airspace. Hezbollah is a U.S.-designated terror group supported by Iran that has fought wars with Israel and carried out attacks on U.S. personnel.
Pakistan is attempting to acquire an armed-drone system, apparently with help from China, according to IHS Jane's, a security research firm.

2013 year calendar in U.S. drone ...

The paint was still quite fresh on the sign in 2013 when the unmanned U.S. Air Force have their first fired missiles into Pakistan on January 3. Fifteen people were killed in two separate attacks by Predator and Reaper or used by the CIA. Drones who just passed the one million flight hours since 2007. A few hours later, thousands of miles away, a third attack targeted this time Islamic militants in Yemen.

If the year 2013 will be the year of good water snake in the Chinese calendar, so everything indicates that it will again be the drone in the American calendar. Repetitat bis place. 2012 saw intensive use of remotely piloted aircraft at least five theaters: Afghanistan, of course (at least 500 shots listed), Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. Why not add Libya and Mali in 2013? All this in the context of a global war without front lines or soldiers without much questioning either the Americans are primarily concerned with their own dead in primary schools and on their campuses.