Iraq Denies Drone Could Deliver Banned Weapons

Reuters ^ | March 12th., 2003 | Dominic Evans

[acnielsen guy]

U.S. claims that it could be a 'smoking gun' violation of Baghdad's disarmament obligations or a trigger for war.

Duct tape and plastic now Tin foil.

[goodnesswins]

Deny...Deny...Deny........Tick...Tick...Tick

[savedbygrace]

Didn't the inspectors find this drone back in December? Why did Blix let Iraq keep it? How much modifying could Iraq have done in the past two months or so, to make it appear harmless? Why am I bothering to ask these questions?

[Destructor]

As I recall, Iraq has repeatedly denied having any weapons of Mass Destruction, and yet the inspectors have found them!

[RoughDobermann]

That's not the same RPV that I saw a picture of over the weekend...

[Libertarianize the GOP]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[mhking]

We have not even thought about this at all

Oh, he's becoming a regular joker...

[acnielsen guy]

Apparently the payload for this plane is ten kilos, that is about the weight of a surveillance camera.

I am sure they have some sharp pencils that could poke people’s eyes out.

[acnielsen guy]

This was put out by Reuters at Wed March 12, 2003 09:13 AM ET

[mass55th]

" Why am I bothering to ask these questions?"

ROFL!!! Great line! You cracked me up!

I vote you become one of the inspectors. Lord knows most of us here on FR could do a better job of it.

[RoughDobermann]

This was put out by Reuters at Wed March 12, 2003 09:13 AM ET

Yes, but IIRC, Fox News showed a different RPV over the weekend that was much more advnaced than the thing pictured above. That looks like nothing more that a large park flyer...

[eaglebeak]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Iraq.html

Iraquis Reject Deadly Drone Claim by U.S.

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


Filed at 8:12 a.m. ET

AL-TAJI, Iraq (AP) -- A remotely piloted aircraft that the United States has warned could spread chemical weapons appears to be made of balsa wood and duct tape, with two small propellors attached to what look like the engines of a weed whacker.

Iraqi officials took journalists to the Ibn Firnas State Company just north of Baghdad on Wednesday, where the drone's project director accused Secretary of State Colin Powell of misleading the U.N. Security Council and the public.

``He's making a big mistake,'' said Brig. Imad Abdul Latif. ``He knows very well that this aircraft is not used for what he said.''

In Washington's search for a ``smoking gun'' that would prove Iraq is not disarming, Powell has insisted the drone, which has a wingspan of 24.5 feet, could be fitted to dispense chemical and biological weapons. He has said it ``should be of concern to everybody.''

The drone's white fuselage was emblazoned Wednesday with the words ``God is great'' and the code ``Quds-10.'' Its balsa wood wings were held together with duct tape. Officials said they referred to the remotely piloted vehicle as the RPV-30A.

Latif said the plane is controlled by the naked eye from the ground. Asked whether its range is above the 93-mile limit imposed by the United Nations, he said it couldn't be controlled from more than five miles.

Latif said the exact range will be determined when the drone passes to the next testing stage.

(more)

[algol]

That's not the drone we're looking for.

Judging from the guys standing in front of it, that drone has a wingspan of maybe 12 feet. The reported spray-capable drone has a wingspan closer to 24 feet -- twice as big.

Yet another case of Iraqi misdirection. These guys could give stage magicians lessons.

[eaglebeak]

Exactly what is a "spray-capable drone"? Seriously.

[Chummy]

eaglebeak: Exactly what is a "spray-capable drone"? Seriously.

Ask Saddam.

It's an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) which has the capability of releasing chemical or biological agents which Saddam claims he does not have. See also France's passive support of the possession by the Saddam Regime of such weaponry, or the Blix Waffle's oopsie when he failed to comment on the discovery of the craft and program.

[ravingnutter]

Iraq covets drones for spray blitz

[ken5050]

Saddam builds Revell model planes.....

[acnielsen guy]

Exactly what is a "spray-capable drone"? Seriously

Don´t ask sensible questions on this forum, just believe everything your read or hear. Are you with us or against us?

[eaglebeak]

Well then, here's you hi-tech UAV, friend. It looks more like a radio controlled airplane to me, but hey, even a homing pigeon COULD BE outfitted to spray chemicals.

This is a joke.

[OXENinFLA]

So if this is the "PROTOTYPE" what is the Camouflage painted one I've seen on FNC, THE FINAL PRODUCT?