Predator crashes in Iraq, 6th this year

unhappycamper

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Fri Nov-30-07 05:19 AM
Original message

Predator crashes in Iraq, 6th this year

No cause given for crash
Board investigating.

Predator crashes in Iraq, 6th this year
Staff report
Posted : Thursday Nov 29, 2007 10:03:05 EST

An Air Force Predator crashed Thursday near Ali Air Base, Iraq, according to a press release from Central Command Air Forces.

No reason for the crash was cited. The incident occurred at about 11 p.m. local time in an unpopulated area, the release said.

This marks the sixth crash of an MQ-1 unmanned aerial vehicle in Iraq or Afghanistan this year. The most recent crash was Aug. 20.

The other crashes have been attributed mostly to mechanical failures, with at least one due to pilot error.

A board will investigate Thursday’s crash.

Related reading: Half of Predators fielded have been lost

Article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/11/airforce_predator_crash_071129w/

uhc comment: In February 2007 the Air Force admitted to 'losing' 48 or 49 Predators out of a total force of 90. The Air Force also 'lost' two Global Hawks in Afghanistan - one from an engine problem and the other a flight control problem.

Predators cost about $4,500,000 a pop while Global Hawks cost about $15,000,000 a pop --> http://www.cursor.org/stories/dronesyndrome.htm

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