US loses spy drone as Iraqis make off with wreck

[donsu]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/MAC169806.htm


Iraqis in the northern city Mosul have made off with a top secret American spy plane.

The U.S. military in Iraq said in a statement on Thursday that one of its "unmanned aerial vehicles" -- otherwise known as a drone -- had crashed in the town the night before.

"Within the hour, the crash site was investigated by nearby troops who assessed that no civilians or property were harmed or damaged as a result of the accident," it said.

"The UAV was not recovered, however, as the local population carried it away."
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what do those things cost anyway?

we've lost a number of them, how secret can they be?

[soothsayer]

1. probably having a village barbecue (but it's a very tough bird)

[Dr.Phool]

2. Bush is a prophet!!

He knew they had drones, even before they had them!!!

Head for the bomb shelters!

[Dhalgren]

4. Beat me to it, Doc! LOL, that's exactly what first came to mind...

[Jara sang]

3. Probably a "Predator"

Gee, I hope that one was unarmed. Hate to think we are just handing out munitions to the insurgents.

[rodeodance]

5. on the cable stations said 'thieves made off with it"--For some reason

it made me chuckle-(at the time)--

[NoFederales]

9. "Thieves!" indeed; what a bunch of maroons--I wave my privates in their

general direction.

NoFederales

[Ian David]

6. Look, they even captured the pilot...

See also:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1694593&mesg_id=1694593

CNN.com - So-called US hostage appears to be toy - Feb 1, 2005
http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/02/01/iraq.hostage/

[EarlG]

7. Wait for it

In a couple months time the Pentagon will be showing pictures of that drone and claiming that they found Saddam's unmanned UAV's which were going to drop anthrax down our chimneys.

[madrchsod]

8. depending on the model and stuff inside

a one million and up . the larger one that carry a 500 lb bomb is in the 5-10 million range. one hell of alot of money for a remote controled airplane...
http://www.flyrc.com/
Fly RC - the leading radio control airplane magazine

[donsu]

10. thank you for looking it up - guess the Pentagon thinks that's pocket

change.

I didn't know they carried bombs too. most be a powerful motor driving it?