The US military will use armed, unmanned drones over Libya, Defence Secretary Robert Gates says, calling them a "modest contribution" to international coalition efforts there.
Gates said the decision to use unmanned drones armed with missiles was made "because of the humanitarian situation" in Libya, where strongman Muammar Gaddafi's forces are battling a Western-backed insurgency.
"They give you a capability that even the A10 (anti-tank aircraft) and AC130 (ground attack aircraft) couldn't provide" in the conflict in the North African nation, he told a press briefing.
Gates says President Barack Obama has approved the use of the armed Predator drone aircraft. He told the Pentagon news conference that the Predator is an example of the unique US military capabilities that Obama is willing to contribute to a coalition military campaign in Libya, while other countries enforce a no-fly zone.
Marine General James Cartwright, speaking alongside Gates, said the first Predator mission was scheduled for Thursday but it was scratched due to poor weather.
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Cartwright said the Predators allow low-level precision attacks on Libyan government forces.
