The United States is using armed Predator drones in Libya to target Muammar Gaddafi's forces with the approval of President Barack Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates has confirmed.

Link to Technical Data Sheet and pictures MQ-1 Predator drone UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

The first two Predators, which carry Hellfire missiles and can stay in the air for 24 hours, headed to Libya on Thursday but had to turn back due to bad weather, said General James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The US military plans to maintain two patrols of armed Predators above Libya at any given time, permitting better surveillance and targeting of Gaddafi's forces as they dig into positions next to civilian areas. The drones are based in the region but are typically flown by remote control by pilots in the US.