War zone drone crashes add up
Posted in Education, News, Tech, Video on July 6th, 2010 by admin – Comments Off
The U.S. military often portrays its drone aircraft as high-tech marvels that can be operated seamlessly from thousands of miles away. But Pentagon accident reports reveal that the pilotless aircraft suffer from frequent system failures, computer glitches and human error.
Design and system problems were never fully addressed in the haste to push the fragile plane into combat over Afghanistan shortly after the Sept. 11 attacks more than eight years ago. Air Force investigators continue to cite pilot mistakes, coordination snafus, software failures, outdated technology and inadequate flight manuals.
Thirty-eight Predator and Reaper drones have crashed during combat missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, and nine more during training on bases in the U.S. — with each crash costing between $3.7 million and $5 million. Altogether, the Air Force says there have been 79 drone accidents costing at least $1 million each.
Panetta says Afghan progress slower than expected
Posted in News on June 28th, 2010 by admin – Comments OffDays after President Obama installed a new U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, CIA Director Leon E. Panetta acknowledged Sunday that progress in the war has been “harder” and “slower than I think anyone anticipated.”
Top U.S. officials have acknowledged the difficulty the administration could face as it seeks to follow through on Obama’s pledge to begin drawing down troops in July 2011. If progress continues to lag, Obama is likely to face intensified pressure from Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the commander-designate, not to draw down quickly, as well as a countervailing push by Vice President Joe Biden to switch to a smaller military footprint.
Top general in Afghan war apologizes for profile, is summoned home
Posted in News, Video, what on June 22nd, 2010 by admin – Comments Off
The top U.S. commander in Afghanistan has been summoned to Washington to explain his controversial comments about colleagues in a recent interview, Obama administration officials said Tuesday.
The officials say Gen. Stanley McChrystal, who has issued an apology for his comments, has been ordered to attend the monthly White House meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan in person Wednesday rather than over a secure video teleconference, so he can discuss his comments with President Barack Obama and top Pentagon officials.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity in discussing the general’s schedule.
