Naval History and Heritage Command

PDF Version [659KB]

APPENDIX I
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES

I-1

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES IN DESERT SHIELD/STORM

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) performed superbly during DESERT SHIELD/STORM. Their uses included targeting, "real time" battle damage assessment, artillery and naval gunfire adjustment, reconnaissance and advanced warning and coordination of ground and air operations. UAVs elicited very positive feedback from DESERT STORM commanders.

UAV Data

522 Sorties/1641 hours flown (at least 1 UAV airborne at all times during DESERT STORM):

Unit	Sorties	Hours
Navy
VC-6 Det 1 (USS Wisconsin) (Embarked 7 Aug 90)	100	342.9
VC-6 Det 2 (USS Missouri) (Embarked 3 Nov 90)	64	209.7
Marine Corps
1st  RPVCO (Commenced ops 26 Sep 90)	94	330.3
2nd RPVCO (Commenced ops 27 Nov 90)	69 (Thru 1 Mar)	226.6
3rd RPVCO	147 (Thru 24 Feb)	380.6
Army
USA UAVPLT (Commenced ops 1 Feb 91)	48	150.8
Total	522	1640.9

12 UAVs destroyed:

1 hostile fire
3 electromagnetic interference (EMI)
2 operator error
6 engine/general/airframe failure

11 UAVs damaged during DESERT STORM (repairable):

2 EMI
6 operator error
3 engine/general failure

3 UAVs suffered minor damage due to small arms fire.

I-2

[END]