Reply #2: Bob Graham's book describes the Predator [View All]

He says there was much debate over whether the Predator should be armed or not. The Air Force didn't want to arm unmanned drones, but the CIA did. THe CIA won the argument, and the Predators are now owned and maintained by the Air Force, but tasked by the CIA. As of Feb. 2001, Predators became capable of carrying and launching a Hellfire missile.

Graham tells about observing a Predator flight in progress over Afghanistan. The pilot was in a control room in CIA Headquarters at Langley, Virginia. Several screens aid the pilot. One shows what the Predator is "seeing". Another shows the Predator's progress against a map of the area. Another shows the Predator's info: altitude, speed, etc.

The thing can fly 400 miles from its base, and can fly for 24 hours. Evidently, it can be piloted from the other side of the world.