Unmanned aerial system (UAS) use has soared since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq began, and new systems continue to debut in combat. But national deficits are placing severe pressure on defense spending, forcing users to look for more capability from existing UAS. The US. is putting new sensors on available platforms and connecting them to provide capabilities beyond those of individual systems (seep. 58). The services are also pushing hard for access to civil airspace for training once their UAS return from Afghanistan (seep. 56). Repatriated UAS could be put to new uses, with the US. Missile Defense Agency exploring whether Reaper unmanned aircraft can provide much-needed data on boosting ballistic missiles (see below).
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