Iran captures second US 'drone'

[glojo]

Here is the link regarding this latest claim

click (http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/12/04/uk-iran-usa-drone-idUKBRE8B308620121204)

[Blue Bottle]

or have they ? Good game, good game...

US Navy: No Drones Missing After Iran Claim (http://news.sky.com/story/1020329/us-navy-no-drones-missing-after-iran-claim)

[TEEEJ]

The Iranians have released video of a Boeing ScanEagle in their possession.

kGULtedeyJ0&feature=related

[c-bert]

Looks in suspiciously good nick considering it's been 'captured'. Also I note there is no shots of the sensors in that video...:suspect:

[Cows getting bigger]

They probably bought one from the Columbians.

[mike-wsm]

Sensors look ok.

Standard recovery is to dangle a rope. No damage. See wingtip hook in vid.

[mike-wsm]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/ScanEagle_recovery_on_USS_Oscar_Austin.jpg/800px-ScanEagle_recovery_on_USS_Oscar_Austin.jpg

[glojo]

Fifty pence says the Iranians have it! :bored: (my weekly pocket money)

[54Phan]

In the link contained in post #2, there is a photograph of a member of the Republican Guard standing in the doorway of what appears to be a superannuated RH-53. There is no main rotor visible, and in fact the main rotor mast appears to be in use as a flag pole. Interesting picture.

[Roland Pulfrew]

54 Phan

there is a photograph of a member of the Republican Guard standing in the doorway of what appears to be a superannuated RH-53

If you look at the pictures in the cockpit windows you may be able to make out burnt our wreckage as well. I believe that the helo you refer to is part of a "museum" to the failed Tehran hostage rescue mission of the 70s.

[TEEEJ]

After the events of the RQ-170 last year Iran revealed that it had other US and Israeli UAVs and would reveal them during an exhibition.

The Revolutionary Guards Navy might simply be churning out a previously lost UAVs for propaganda purposes?

2011 report

Report: Iran to display Israeli, US drones

Iranian newspaper claims Tehran intercepted no less than four Israeli drones which will be showcased in upcoming exhibition

An Iranian exhibition will showcase four Israeli drones, the Tehran Times reported on Wednesday. According to the report, The exhibition will also display three American drones and will be open to local press and foreign ambassadors.

The newspaper quoted a source saying that Iran seized the Israeli jets after they invaded Iran's aerial space on its eastern border. The US drones were apparently caught when flying over eastern and southern Iran.

Last January, a senior Revolutionary Guard commander announced that his forces intercepted two spy planes in the Persian Gulf. He did not mention where the jets came from or where they were intercepted but also addressed Israel in the same statement.

The exhibition is part of Tehran's psychological warfare campaign following the interception of a US drone last week. The Islamic Republic wants to prove it can thwart any aerial infiltration attempt and prevent spying missions targeting its nuclear facilities.


Report: Iran to display Israeli, US drones - Israel News, Ynetnews (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4161932,00.html)

The Iraqi's also operate ScanEagles

Iraqi military to buy unmanned US drones to monitor oil fields - The Hill's DEFCON Hill (http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/industry/228565-iraq-to-buy-us-unmanned-drones-to-protect-oilfields-)

Extensively used by the US military in Iraq. Probably more than a few have been lost over the years!

ScanEagle UAV passes 3000 combat hours in Iraq (http://www.gizmag.com/go/4116/)

[glojo]

It might sound naive but are we supposed to be shocked at the thought that any country actually gathers intelligence on a sovereign state? It may well be different if the victim was able to hit back but what can Iran do?

[West Coast]

What can they do about it?

They can try shooting it down like they did recently.

[Robert Cooper]

Well if they do have it, and the U.S. Navy say they haven't lost one, then whose is it? :suspect:

Bob C

[West Coast]

Check the local hobby shop, perhaps one of theirs has been nicked.

[TEEEJ]

Bob C,

Blue Bottle has already posted the link.

Commander Jason Salata, from the US Navy's 5th Fleet, said.

"We have no record that we have lost any ScanEagles recently."
He added that US ScanEagles have been lost into the sea in the past.

US Navy: No Drones Missing After Iran Claim (http://news.sky.com/story/1020329/us-navy-no-drones-missing-after-iran-claim)

Iraq also operates the ScanEagle.

[racedo]

USN Bod may be making a true statement that we haven't lost any recently.......

Question is do they belong to someone else connected with the US ?

[Lonewolf_50]

racedo, TEEEJ has twice pointed out that Iraq operates the drone. Iraq is next to Iran.

I'd offer up a bit of Occam's Razor at this point. ;)

[Biggus]

What is the USN's definition of "recently"...?

The last 5 minutes, 5 days, 5 weeks, 5 months...?


Both the Iranians and the USN could be telling the truth, in certain circumstances.

[GreenKnight121]

, from the US Navy's 5th Fleet, said. "We have no record that we have lost any ScanEagles recently."

He added that US ScanEagles have been lost into the sea in the past.


So we lost one in the drink some time ago, an Iranian speed-boat was sent out and fished it out, and they are just now showing it off.


Hardly news... nor the stuff of secret US military operations and media disinformation campaigns!

[reynoldsno1]

U.S. Navy say they haven't lost one
...they know where they all are .... maybe a couple are in the temporary custody of another agency.