Or how NOT to bring down a MQ-9 Reaper drone.
I'm no military tactician but from the sketchy details offered up by the BBC news last night, I have my own theory.
They say one of two SU-27 fighter jets manoeuvred his jet in such a way as to damage the propeller of the lumbering UAV. This I doubt very much. What jet pilot worth his salt, from any nation, would risk his life in such a way just to bring down a drone, because without doubt, he would have at the very least caused serious damage to his own plane?
They also said one of the SU-27 jets dumped fuel all over the drone and that one or both of the jets flew immediately in front of this thing. My theory, and it is just that, is that they were hoping to ignite the now fuel drenched UAV with their afterburners.
I know the Russians are getting desperate and are taking many, many risks, but this deliberately colliding theory I find hard to swallow.
UPDATE. I just read that US officials are now stating any collision was likely accidental!
Regards,
Jay.
I'm no military tactician but from the sketchy details offered up by the BBC news last night, I have my own theory.
They say one of two SU-27 fighter jets manoeuvred his jet in such a way as to damage the propeller of the lumbering UAV. This I doubt very much. What jet pilot worth his salt, from any nation, would risk his life in such a way just to bring down a drone, because without doubt, he would have at the very least caused serious damage to his own plane?
They also said one of the SU-27 jets dumped fuel all over the drone and that one or both of the jets flew immediately in front of this thing. My theory, and it is just that, is that they were hoping to ignite the now fuel drenched UAV with their afterburners.
I know the Russians are getting desperate and are taking many, many risks, but this deliberately colliding theory I find hard to swallow.
UPDATE. I just read that US officials are now stating any collision was likely accidental!
Regards,
Jay.