New Joint Aviation Command brings helicopters and drone systems under one roof
The head of the British Army has marked the transition of the Joint Helicopter Command (JHC) into a new organisation which will bring crewed and uncrewed systems under one structure.
To mark the evolution of the JHC into the new Joint Aviation Command (JAC), General Sir Patrick Sanders, Chief of the General Staff met with tri-service personnel at Larkhill Camp.
Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Group (UASG) Commander, Colonel Richard Ball OBE said: "On a personal level it's a huge privilege. It's really exciting. We know the technology is changing at a rapid rate."
He added: "One of the principle drives behind it has been the proliferation of uncrewed systems. We've seen that both from the UK, and of course it's all about the lessons from what we're seeing in Ukraine.
"I think the most exciting bit about the joint aviation command and the formation of the UAS group is the relationship between crewed and uncrewed platforms.
"So, the type of capabilities and the type of technologies that we're operating now invariably in twelve to eighteen months will be fundamentally different.
"That will give the army, and the field army in particular increased lethality survivability, and of course that modernisation that we're desperate to achieve."
Under the new JAC structure, military drones will now operate under the same organisation as the helicopters.
Thirty-Two Royal Artillery will also join the new aircraft command, and UASG will operate alongside the crewed aircraft systems.
As the principal visitor at Larkhill camp, General Sanders' presence signified the importance of the transition for the future of the British Armed Forces.
Plans to transform the JHC, which brought elements from the Navy, the Army, and RAF under one command were announced last year.
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