Strategic bombers such as the B-52H Stratofortress and B-1B Lancer (pictured here over Afghanistan) now have the sensors and weapons to perform the close air support role. As a result, FACs are regularly working with these large aircraft.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Rockwell B-1B Lancer - СШАUSA - 1983

Forward air controllers play in important role in current conflicts guiding strike aircraft such as this Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 on to their targets

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Dynamics F-16A/C/E Fighting Falcon - СШАUSA - 1974

As well as strike aircraft and attack helicopters FACs also work with reconnaissance types that have been fitted with electro-optical sensors, such as the Nimrod MR2, to provide target information on enemy positions and better situational awareness on the battlefield.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Hawker-Siddeley Nimrod MR.1 / R.1 / MR.2 / HS.801 - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 1967

Основным вооружением MQ-1 является УР "воздух-поверхность" AGM-114 Hellfire. Комбинация БЛА/Hellfire многократно использовалась для нанесения ударов по террористам Аль-Каиды в Афганистане, Пакистане и Йемене. В перспективе Predator предполагается вооружить легкими УР с лазерным наведением AGM-175 Griffin.
With UAVs now being used to fire weapons, FACs can find themselves directing their 'pilots' onto targets. This USAF MQ-1B Predator is pictured about to depart for a mission over Iraq carrying Hellfire missiles.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: GA-ASI RQ-1 / MQ-1 Predator - СШАUSA - 1994

Numerous types of ground-attack aircraft in the last few years have been fitted with new targeting pods to enhance their capabilities in the close air support role. RAF Tornado GR4s started using the Rafael Litening III targeting pod, seen here on an underfuselage pylon, on operations over Iraq last year and from early 2009 the type will use it in Afghanistan. The zoom and resolution of this type of pod enables aircrew to pick out small targets from many miles away.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Panavia Tornado IDS (GR) - InternationalInternational - 1974

The US military refers to forward air controllers as joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs), one of which is pictured in the Sroghar Mountains in Afghanistan directing a US Army AH-64 Apache.

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: McDonnell Douglas AH-64 Apache - СШАUSA - 1975