"They are amazing systems, and they provide a capability and a set of options for the air commanders and the Cinc (commander-in-chief) and the other component commanders that's just outstanding," said Lieutenant General T. Michael Moseley.

The low-and-slow-flying Predator, which can be armed with Hellfire anti-tank missiles and relays imagery, was able to survive over Baghdad because Iraqi air defenses have been systematically targeted by coalition air forces.

"Yesterday, we had a Predator over Baghdad for 12 straight hours," the general told reporters at the Pentagon in a telephone conference call from his headquarters in Saudi Arabia.