Operational use of the Pioneer unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system

The Pioneer UAV system has seen operational use in every U.S. contingency operation since the system's original fielding in 1986. Originally procured as a non-developmental item, the Pioneer was selected for purchase after a successful fly-off competition which was conducted in late 1985. The Pioneer system is a Department of Defense joint system, having been flown by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Army. The system received extensive acclaim for outstanding performance in Operational Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Pioneers are currently being flown by the U.S. Navy from LPD class naval vessels and the U.S. Marine Corps from land based operations. Both services are currently supporting the NATO Joint Task Force in Bosnia.