Airmen have created the Air Force's first MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) Electronic Combat Officers (ECO) course. As MQ-1/9 aircraft require satellite signals to operate, it becomes extremely important for aircrews to train toward mitigating potential signal interruptions. After taking the course, Airmen will return to their units as trained experts on RPA use of the electromagnetic spectrum to include, but not limited to: area of operation non-kinetic threats, radio communications, GPS, remote-split operations, SATCOM, and Link 16 — a tactical data exchange network. Although the training currently focuses on officers, enlisted Airmen in RPA career fields may also attend a modified ECO course prior to deployments.
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