通用原子在北达科他启用远程飞行中心：MQ-9A改由大福克斯执飞，年省逾1000万美元
北达科他州大福克斯（Grand Forks），通用原子航空系统公司（GA-ASI）10月30日在其飞行测试与训练中心举行剪彩仪式，启用一座新的远程分体飞行中心，今后将从大福克斯远程执飞支援美国非洲司令部的 MQ-9A 无人驾驶飞机。该公司介绍了新中心的用途。
GA-ASI 是 MQ-9A 的制造商，新中心将继续执行其以承包商拥有、承包商运营方式租赁 MQ-9A 的合同，飞行员不再常驻非洲。出席仪式的联邦参议员 John Hoeven 表示，其办公室曾通过参议院国防拨款委员会推动该中心落户北达科他州；飞行员改由大福克斯执飞后，非洲司令部每年可节省逾1,000万美元，同时把更广泛的情报、监视与侦察力量带到该州。
公司首席执行官 Linden Blue 表示，新中心可以减少派驻海外的人员数量，显著降低合同成本并提高人员安全，还将为大福克斯社区带来约50个高薪岗位。
GA-ASI Opens Remote Split Operation in North Dakota for MQ-9A Flights
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) held a ribbon cutting on October 30 at its Flight Test and Training Center to open a new Remote Split Operation facility, from which its MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft supporting U.S. Africa Command will now be flown from North Dakota, the company said.
GA-ASI, the manufacturer of the MQ-9A, will use the facility to continue its contractor-owned, contractor-operated lease of the aircraft, with pilots operating from Grand Forks rather than being stationed in Africa. Senator John Hoeven, whose office worked through the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee to establish the center, said flying the missions from Grand Forks will save Africa Command more than $10 million a year while bringing a broader intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance portfolio to the state.
GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue said the facility decreases the number of personnel required overseas, significantly reducing the cost of the lease to the U.S. government and increasing personnel safety, and will bring approximately 50 well-paying jobs to the Grand Forks community.
来源：GSM·美国（原文链接）
图片来源：图：MQ-9 Reaper display - Aviation Nation 2019。Noah Wulf 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: MQ-9 Reaper display - Aviation Nation 2019. By Noah Wulf, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
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