Predator Unmanned Aerial Systems

¶ … Predators has led to Decrease in Road-Side Bombings in Afghanistan

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) started firing drones missiles in Afghanistan in order to reduce civilian casualties and reduce roadside bombings. These missiles known as Predators incorporate accuracy, wide efficient surveillance and precision target meant to reduce roadside bombings. To minimize civilian casualties, the Predator targets mobile insurgents as opposed to focusing on residential areas. The use of Predator has minimized roadside bombings and civilian as a result of increased surveillance.

Roadside bombing casualties represent a reduction from a 10% casualty level in 2009, 7% in 2011 to almost 3% in 2012. In line with this, Brook (2012 ), adds that improvised explosive devices were a major cause of troop deaths untill the introduction of the Predator.

The most important feature of the predator is the detection of all types of improvised explosive devices. Data indicate that from January through March; the predator had detected 53% of improvised explosive devices before they blew up and from March through May the detection had gone up 11 points to 64% of improvised explosive devices before they blew up. The detectors on the aircraft help in identification of wires attached to bombs as well as bomb making plants. This is consistent with the findings of the CIA that show roadside bombings having reduced following the introduction of Predators in the Afghanistan war. The Agency further reiterates that roadside missile campaigns by the Predator had not resulted in any civil casualties. Officials representing the Agency interviewed by the New York Times said that from August 2011, the number of roadside bombing casualties has reduced in Afghanistan (Drew, 2010). They establish that roadside bombings have killed an approximately 50 noncombatants, a decline after the lunch of Predator drone activities in the country.

In February 2012, investigations conducted by the Associated Press (AP) found out that militants were the main victims of roadside bomb attacks contrary to the prevalent perception in Afghanistan that civilians are the principal victims (Abbot, 2012). AP investigations confirmed that there were approximately 194 dead militants and 35 civilians following roadside bombings. Furthermore, the number of daily roadside bombings has been reducing each day. The research established that approximately 10 roadside bombings had detonated but civilians were not injured as a result of the explosions.

Analytical Arguments

The Predators' ability to linger in particular areas for long hours while streaming instant videos warning of insurgent activities has been vital in reducing road side bombings. The Predators identify terrorist compounds and planted roadside bombs and alert field commander in Afghanistan of the presence of nearby roadside bombs.

The Predators flying approximately 34 surveillance patrols daily in Afghanistan transmit 16,000 hours of videos monthly on the condition of the American ground troops and roads in Afghanistan (Martin & Sasser, 2010). The Predators have infrared cameras installed on them which give clear pictures of roads even during dark nights to the pilots commanding them. Moreover, the Predators relay pictures of the roads to the pilots for scanning whether there are signs of militants planting improvised explosive devices or waiting to attack passing military convoys. Scanning of roads for planted explosives is a duty carried out big time by the drones to prevent casualties that may arise following road side bomb explosions.

At some times, the Predators monitor insurgent compounds and watch over troops in battles. When Predators spot possible targets, officers monitoring video at command centers in Afghanistan decide whether to order an attack. The use of Predators is a growing part of counterterrorism strategy that seeks to reduce civilian casualties. This has been done to reduce the number of roadside bombs and human casualties by the American troops in Afghanistan. Additionally, Predators ability to strike without warning may reduce the number of civilian deaths from drone strikes in Afghanistan. Following the constant surveillance and strikes of potential terror hotspots by the Predators greatly reduce incidents of roadside explosions and casualties.

Conclusion