AP: Iraq shoots down US drone(unmanned) recon plane...

MSNBC

[Francohio]

This thing flies at about 150MPH Max, and not too high, so a few are going to be lost.

Hopefully, nothing in the commo links can be retro-engineered.

[hchutch]

Memorandum

To: SECDEF Rumsfeld
From: hchutch
Subj: UAV loss

1. One thing for sure, that UAV had to have seen something that the Iraqis did not want us to see. Normally they content themselves with shots from AAA. This time, they sent a fighter into the no-fly zone.

2. Recommend we send any assets we can spare to the area around the shootdown and search the area very thoroughly. I think we might find something interesting.

r/s
hchutch

[smith288]

Was the pilot injured? I mean, did he spill his coffee on himself or anything?

Pilot was a'ok.

[Light Speed]

Hi H.H.
The info stream on the Predator reveals 3 shot down over the south of Iraq...the recent aired for our attention.
Iraq has tried several radar packages and software upgrades from the Ex Soviet bloc to the Chinese.
Unknown if they can ..[all the time] lock onto a Predator..but it would seem that they are getting a read on them..which shows the technical ability of their ground based radars.
The Iraqi pilots are being vectored to the Predators....hint that the aircrafts onboard radar is not up to snuff.
after vector to Predator..the Iraqi pilots have to hit it...seems they cannot slow down to engage...a hint they are trying to knock them down via gun..over missile lock.
compared to Americas technology..Iraq is parading around wall mart version quality...
finally after how many attempts...an Iraqi pilot got a gunfire kill.

[ImphClinton]

Not a chance.

We will take out this base with a few B2 bombers. Iraq will have no chance against them flying at 70,000 feet and invisible to radar.

[ImphClinton]

Not a chance you could do this by Satelite they are just too high up. We could do it though if we had AWACS nearby say within 500 miles or so.

[FBD]

anti-aircraft missile radar test...bttt

[theFIRMbss]

>Recon variants of the F-117, F-22, and B-2 would be many times as expensive as the drones...

"As one defense official said last year, "UAVs are well-suited for the dull, dirty and dangerous missions" because of their use in very long missions, in areas that might be "dirty" due to chemical or biological weapons and "dangerous" because of the risk factor involved in flying into some areas.

They are not, however, any cheaper to operate. According to the Pentagon, an armed Predator costs as much as a manned aircraft, as its operation involves a sophisticated command-and-communications system."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strangely, a Chinese
newspaper [!] had good data
on the Predator.

[Poohbah]

They are not, however, any cheaper to operate. According to the Pentagon, an armed Predator costs as much as a manned aircraft, as its operation involves a sophisticated command-and-communications system."

Short-term acquisition costs for the initial system may be just as expensive, but the long-term operational costs will be significantly lower unless the military engages in some truly boneheaded personnel and operations policies.

[Plutarch]

Iraqis celebrate Iraqi Air Force victory over USAF Predator.

< /ruse>

[TLBSHOW]

barf alert wp headline

US Spy Plane Shot Down, Baghdad Blasts 'Little Bush'

[unspun]

I hope these things have multiple transponders so as many pieces as possible can be found and destroyed before it gets picked up and sold to China and Russia.

[unspun]

Better yet, they should have sealed explosives ready to be remotely detonated at the most opportune time....

[aculeus]

An appropriate response: take out one of his palaces.

[gura]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I think I just wet my pants.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Merry Christmas! WONDERFUL post, #16!!!!

[Mudboy Slim]

"...the "Baghdad Jane" (BJ) program. "Under the new BJ program each of our anti-aircraft gunners have had several face lifts and chest implants and their scores have gone up dramatically!" Said one Iraqi general. "The only problem with the program is that the "BJ Gunners" are now even more popular at their local Mosques.

May Hanoi Jane die the deaths of a thousand traitors...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

Thank you, Gramma...MUD

[Brad’s Gramma]

See ye later, Alleegator.

I have a pig sty house to clean!!!!

[isom35]

My only hope is that that the pilot survived.