REMOTELY PILOTED AIRCRAFT (RPA) SENSOR OPERATOR

Enlisted Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Sensor Operator

As our country's preeminent air defense, a lot of what we do, from surveillance to weapons, happens in the skies. Providing our forces with the intelligence they need, Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) Sensor Operators play an integral role in helping forces know what actions to take. Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment, these highly trained experts perform surveillance and reconnaissance and provide close air support and real-time battle damage assessment, playing a vital role in ensuring our missions succeed.

What You'll Do

• Perform intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance
• Detect, analyze and discriminate between valid and invalid targets
• Assist in air navigation, fire control planning and determining effective weapons control and delivery tactics
• Conduct immediate first phase Battle Damage Assessments
• Perform pre- and in-flight mission planning activities
• Test and evaluate capabilities of new equipment and propriety of new procedures

Training & Education

How do we transform you from a raw recruit to an expert Airman in this field? From hands-on experience to college credit toward a degree, the path begins here.

• Basic Military Training

  7.5 weeks

• Technical Training

  31 Days

• Tech School Location

  Lackland AFB, TX; Randolph AFB TX

• Status Upon Completion

  Enlisted Airman with credits earned towards Air and Space Operations Technology

Key Things To Consider Requirements

You must meet several requirements before joining the Air Force. These concern your background, overall health and other standards set by the Air Force, Department of Defense and federal law.

• You must be 17–42 years of age, a U.S. citizen and obtain a qualifying ASVAB score.

  *High School Students may start their application as early as the end of their junior year.

  Applicants who are non-graduates or non-alternate credential holders must obtain an AFQT Test score of 65 or higher on the ASVAB.

• 64 General (G) or 54 Electronics (E)
• • Flight experience is beneficial and desired, but not required
  • Normal color vision
  • Completion of a current Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI)
  • Completion of 7.5 weeks of Basic Military Training
  • Must be at least 17, but has not reached age 42 on the date of enlistment