WASHINGTON — A Russian fighter jet downed a U.S. drone working over the Black Sea on Tuesday, U.S. European Command mentioned in a press release.
“Our MQ-9 plane was conducting routine operations in worldwide airspace when it was intercepted and hit by a Russian plane, leading to a crash and full lack of the MQ-9,” mentioned U.S. Air Pressure Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa.
Previous to the collision, two Russian plane harassed the drone, he mentioned.
“A number of occasions earlier than the collision, the Su-27s dumped gasoline on and flew in entrance of the MQ-9 in a reckless, environmentally unsound and unprofessional method,” the assertion added.
Basic Atomics’ Guardian drone, which is the maritime model of the corporate’s Predator B or MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial car.
Basic Atomics
The incident “demonstrates a scarcity of competence” by Russia, the European Command mentioned. The U.S. known as the habits “unsafe and unprofessional,” and a part of a sample of harmful habits by Russian pilots.
The incident occurred in worldwide airspace, Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby instructed reporters. He added that the U.S. was persistently flying over the Black Sea earlier than the battle in Ukraine broke out in February of final 12 months.
Two Sukhoi Su-27 fighters carry out throughout celebrations of the tenth anniversary of the Russian air drive base of the Collective Safety Treaty Group (CSTO) in Kant, about 20 km exterior Bishkek on October 27, 2013. AFP PHOTO / VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO (Picture credit score ought to learn VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP through Getty Pictures)
Vyacheslav Oseledko | Afp | Getty Pictures
Kirby mentioned that the U.S. isn’t required to “verify in” Russia earlier than flying. He added that the State Division would focus on the matter with Russian counterparts.
The Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., didn’t instantly reply to CNBC’s request for remark.
The MQ-9 Reaper drone system is designed to gather intelligence and perform reconnaissance missions and is manufactured by Basic Atomics Aeronautical Methods.
The remotely piloted system can carry a mixture of Hellfire missiles, Joint Direct Assault Munitions, or JDAMs.