USAFA UAS (RPA) Summer Session 3
During the summer, UAS 200 is a two-week program that gives insight into what a rated career field is like from a RPA perspective. Students learn to fly the RQ-11 Raven, DJI Phantom 2, and participate in RPAS simulations where they act as a RPA pilot completing different tasks. They also get to ask questions and talk with their contractors, who’s career fields range from Spec Ops to pilot. The instructors for this program are mainly two degrees and firsties who have been qualified to teach in the program through an academic year upgrade class and completion of a training program at Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida. At the end of the two weeks, they have earned their basic airmanship wings and graduate from the program. We were able to capture photos of the cadets in training at the UAS Squadron Building and out in Jacks Valley.
The USAFA UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) squadron, formerly known as the USAFA RPA program, is one of three airmanship programs that the Academy offers. They teach basic airmanship and advocate for Rated career fields through the employment of the RQ-11B Raven, a small unmanned aerial system with a 55" wingspan and 36" long fuselage. Through the flying and employment of this aircraft, they teach students (rising 3 degrees during the summer and current 3 degrees in the academic year) things like aerial deconfliction, navigation skills, proper radio etiquette, mission planning, tactical-level operations, and more. The Raven is one of the only operational system the cadets can gain experience with and become qualified on... those who become instructors go to Hurlburt Field, FL during their ops period to get trained and qualified by a schoolhouse run by AFSOC. The other part of the program is officer development - and they take that very seriously. Managing small teams of students and operators, leading other instructors, organizing and leading flights, and planning/executing missions based on a customer's need. Each summer period, they have roughly 55 rising three degrees come through the program, and they have about 15 students upgrade to become instructors each semester.
To view all the photos go to, Galleries > Airmanship > Remote Piloted Aircraft or click the link below.