According to the Department of Defense Report to Congress on Future Unmanned Aircraft Systems Training, Operations, and Sustainability (April 2012), California has eighteen (18) locations that have been designated as potential basing locations for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) [i.e. drones] (p. 8 ff.).
The table below gives information on the types of drones that are proposed for basing at each location.
BASE | Predator/Reaper type | Shadow/Raven type | Other |
SCLA Victorville | MQ1B | RQ-11B | |
El Mirage | MQ1B, MQ1C | ||
San Clemente Island | MQ1B, MQ9A | RQ-11B | |
Gray Butte | MQ1B, MQ9A | ||
NAWS China Lake | MQ8 | ||
Pt Mugu | MQ8 | ||
Camp Morena | RQ-11B | WASP, PUMA | |
MCB Camp Pendleton | RQ-11B | ||
SSTC, Imperial Beach | RQ-11B | WASP, PUMA | |
Simi Valley | RQ-11B | WASP, PUMA | |
Vandenberg AFB | RQ-11B | ||
Camp Roberts | RQ-11B, RQ-7B | Scan Eagle | |
Fort Irwin | RQ-11B, RQ-7B | ||
MCAGCC 29 Palms | RQ-11B, RQ-7B, RQ-21A | Scan Eagle | |
Beale AFB | RQ4, RQ4 BAMS | ||
Filmore | WASP, PUMA | ||
NAS Lemoore | UCLASS | ||
March | TBA | TBA | TBA |
Not surprisingly, California also tops the nation in the number of members (twelve) of the Congressional drones caucus.
Could it have anything to do with the fact that the drone industry is centered in California -- starting with San Diego-based General Atomics, the maker of the Predator and Reaper drone?
SPENDING AT BEALE AND MARCH
Beale has been heavily funded over the last decade for upgrades related to drones:
2003 - Global Hawk Squadron - operations/maintenance facility - $3.7 million
2003 - Global Hawk - upgrade maintenance dock - $4.6 million
2003 - Global Hawk dining facility - $3.5 million
2004 - Global Hawk - upgrade docks - $9.0 million
2004 - Global Hawk - 144 room dormitory - $14.6 million
2005 - Global Hawk - upgrade dock 2 - $8.3 million
2005 - Global Hawk - addition to age facility - $1.9 million
2005 - Global Hawk - two-bay maintenance hangar - $14 million
In addition, $17.4 million is allocated for 2013 for a BAMS maintenance and training facility at Beale. Even bigger expansion at Beale is scheduled for 2015 and 2016 -- $51 million and $35 million respectively.2003 - Global Hawk - upgrade maintenance dock - $4.6 million
2003 - Global Hawk dining facility - $3.5 million
2004 - Global Hawk - upgrade docks - $9.0 million
2004 - Global Hawk - 144 room dormitory - $14.6 million
2005 - Global Hawk - upgrade dock 2 - $8.3 million
2005 - Global Hawk - addition to age facility - $1.9 million
2005 - Global Hawk - two-bay maintenance hangar - $14 million
Similarly, March was funded $6 million in 2007 for a Predator operations and training complex. and $8 million in 2010 for a TFI-Predator LRE beddown.
AIRSPACE ISSUES
Beale AFB (RQ-4): Beale AFB currently operates the CONUS-based AF fleet of RQ-4s. Operation from Beale is conducted under a COA issued by the FAA allowing the aircraft to climb into Class A airspace above Flight Level (FL) 180 and transit to operational locations.
March ARBI/SoCal Logistics Airport (MQ-l & MQ-9): An FAA COA requires chase aircraft to escort RPAs from Southern California Logistics Airport (formerly George AFB) to the R-2S08 Complex associated with Edwards AFB, NAS China Lake, and Fort Irwin.
The report further discloses that three locations operate under the status "Locations Requiring COAs [Certificate of Waiver or Authorization]":
- El Mirage/Grey Butte (MQ-1C)
- Simi Valley (RQ-llB Raven - Class G Notification)
- Camp Roberts (RQ-7B SHADOW)
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