Becoming an Unmanned Aircraft System Operator: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you interested in becoming an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operator? This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to know about the job training and requirements for this exciting career. Job training for a UAS operator requires 10 weeks of basic combat training and more than 32 weeks of advanced individual training with on-the-job instruction. To become an Army UAV Operator (MOS 15W), you must have a high school diploma or the GED equivalent. If you are interested in becoming a commercial UAS pilot (drone), you must pass the FAA Part 107 exam.

Northwestern Michigan College has created a unique training center that specializes in unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This ongoing collaboration with the FAA will ensure that UND students are qualified to enter careers related to unmanned aircraft systems. Unmanned aircraft (UAS) systems have gone from being strictly military to a wide variety of commercial and life-saving applications. Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are considered much safer without posing the danger of losing human lives.

As a MOS 15W, you'll learn how to operate these unmanned aerial vehicles to gather intelligence. You'll gain experience working in a crew environment as a pilot, sensor operator, or other key member of the unmanned aircraft systems team. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are slowly replacing humans in certain types of missions, such as reconnaissance and surveillance work. Unmanned aircraft (UAS) systems, or drones, have become an important tool in a variety of industries.

You'll need to obtain a “secret level” security clearance to become an operator of military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The flights take place regularly in which UND flight students fly together with Unmanned Aircraft in the National Airspace System. Advanced individual training (AIT) to become an army unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operator (MOS 15W) is quite intensive, with 23 laser beams weeks after graduating from basic combat training (BCT). The primary purpose of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is to gather the intelligence needed for operational tactics.

Army unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators, or drone pilots, use them to provide intelligence in support of military operations because they can stay in the air for 24 hours or more.