General Atomics came into being in 1955 as the general atomic division of General Dynamics. It was founded "for the purpose of harnessing the power of nuclear technologies for the benefit of mankind." This creation of an entirely new division is an excellent example of Sloanism, albeit some 30 or so years after the term was coined, with the atomic division being founded following the advent of new technology. General Atomics was, and still is headquartered in San Diego, CA. The company rapidly grew. Its initial projects included the development of the TRIGA nuclear reactor, and Project Orion. The former is a nuclear reactor designed for use by universities for graduate and undergraduate education, the latter was a nuclear driven spacecraft which never got past the experimental phase.
An example of the TRIGA reactorGulf Oil Acquired General Atomics in 1967, and in 1973 Royal Dutch Shell became a 50% shareholder in the company. In 1982 Gulf Oil bought out its partner and following Gulf Oil's merger in 1984 with Chevron, and Chevron gained control of the company.
In 1986 Neal and Linden Blue purchased the company and it was given its current name, General Atomics. In 1992 former US Navy Rear Admiral Thomas J. Cassidy Jr. formed General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, with the purpose of developing UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) which could be controlled from longer distances and transmit pictures in real time. This is another example of the Sloanist expansion of GA-ASI.
It was at this time that GA-ASI developed its first UAVs, beginning with the GNAT-750, and continuing with the MQ-1, and the MQ-9. These UAVs were developed for longer endurance in the air and because of this they could loiter over a target area for hours.
This is an example of the MQ/RQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle. This UAV has the capability of flying 400 nautical miles from its base to a target, remaining in position over its target for up to 14 hours, and then returning to base, giving it far greater endurance than any manned aircraft, and any previous types of UAVs.These drones, along with the MQ-9 Reaper (a larger, more advanced version developed from the MQ-1) have been deployed to the Balkans, Afghanistan, Yemen, Pakistan and Iraq and are used by the USAF in surveillance and combat roles. These roles include the patrolling and monitoring of potential targets, the targeting and tailing of enemy soldiers, the laser designation of targets for missiles from the drone or other aircraft, the elimination of hostile targets, and" surveillance of neighborhoods and other potential "hot spots" in conjunction with other UAVs.
In addition to the roles prescribed to them by the USAF the drones are also used by civilian agencies. The CIA and the Department of Homeland Security use them for surveillance overseas and back home in the United States. The US Customs and Border Protection Agency operates six RQ-9 drones for use patrolling the border. These drones have led to the capture of sizable amounts of drugs and have prevented much smuggling activity along the border.
A US customs RQ-9 Predator. It is equipped with both infared cameras and LYNX synthetic aperture radar, a system which allows the UAV to provide surveillance through clouds, dust, haze and other obstructions to conventional cameras.The story of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is an interesting one which culminates in the creation of some of the best aerial surveillance technology to date.
Nice post! Have you looked at the impact of these drones on the way the US is perceived in other countries? I know that some say we (THE USA) are cowards unwilling to engage with the enemy because of the use.
ReplyDeleteThere is also the issue that some of these are deployed in the middle east but are controlled from civilian/military stations within the US... So what impact does this have when you sit a video console flying around killing people fro thousands of miles away fro 9-5 then go home to your 3 year-old kid and your wife and safe home?
This is a really interesting post. I knew this technology was used, but I had no idea it was used to this degree. I understand why this technology is used and now how it was developed, but what I don't understand is why we don't utilize them more if they are so effective. Could these fly missions that put men and women at risk in other situations or are those mission to risky to allow for an un maned plane?
ReplyDeleteIn regards to what Christine said the US military uses these drones to follow and take down enemy targets in high risk areas. They also are used in conjunction with the next generation of US manned combat aircraft to attract the attention of enemy SAM (surface to air missiles) and enemy radar sites so that the manned aircraft following them can eliminate the enemy's network with no risk to any live personnel.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to David's comment the countries of the world look at us in a very different light as we do have UAVs with stealth capabilities. It incites fear not only in our enemies but also in our allies.