Airpower in the News...

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- In the LA Times: The Air Force is training its first drone test pilot, illustrating the growing importance of unmanned aircraft!

He's Got The Right-Click Stuff
By W.J. Hennigan

U.S. Air Force Capt. Nicholas "Hammer" Helms is in line to be the next aviator to make history at Edwards, as he is being trained to be the nation's first drone test pilot.

"Flying at 9 Gs is a lot more fun than sitting in a locked room, I'll tell you that," said Helms, 29, in a Los Angeles Times article. "I never expected to be flying anything other than an F-16. But now I'm here."

Helms' admission into the elite U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards is another sign of the Pentagon's historic shift to drones, which are cheaper to build and operate than conventional aircraft. Thousands of propeller-powered Predator and Reaper drones are already deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and military contractors are now testing more advanced versions with jet engines and increased lethal firepower.

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Also ...

- From TheHill.com: Admiral Michael Mullen: 'Hard' Budget Times Ahead For Military

All parts of the U.S. military will face budget cuts as Washington shaves the federal deficit -- even special operations troops, says Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Michael Mullen.

Read the full article here >>