Partnership in skies: When drones become jet pilots' eyes on ground

Integration of manned, unmanned platforms key to boosting SAF's sense and strike prowess

- Gabrielle Chan

MOUNTAIN HOME, Idaho - Calm and steady, that is how Captain Javier Tan feels in the cockpit, even when cloud cover completely blocks his fighter jet's sensors more than 15,000 feet (4,500m) in the air.

For F-16 pilots like him, moments like this in less than ideal weather conditions or when moving targets go out of sight mean they have no clear view of the targets they are tasked to strike.

This is where unmanned aerial systems, or drones, become the pilots' eyes on the ground.

"In every mission, we go out with the intent of trying to deliver bombs onto specific targets as demanded by the command post," CPT Tan said.

"On days with bad weather, when we are airborne over the target area, we are unable to see the target through our sensors, and without the Heron 1 or other drones, we would most likely be unable to hit those targets."

The smaller drones are able to pinpoint the location of moving targets when they go under shelter, he added.

CPT Tan's experience is an example of how the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) integrates manned and unmanned platforms at 2025's Exercise Forging Sabre.

Held from Sept 6 to 21 in Mountain Home, Idaho, the exercise is one of the SAF's largest overseas drills.

"The partnership with the drones allows us traditional fighter jet fliers more thorough coverage of the battlefield," he said, adding that the Heron 1 can remain airborne for a longer period of time, which compensates for the fighter jets' inability to do so.