They are afraid of Russia's answers: the US will not hand over to Ukraine the percussion drones Gray Eagle, - WSJ
About it writes the American newspaper The Wall Street Journal with reference to sources familiar with discussions. Members of the two houses of the Congress asked the White House to send to Kiev the average unmanned drones, which it takes several months. The Pentagon rejected the request due to the fears of Moscow's response to sending weapons that the Armed Forces could strike in Russia, several US officials said.
Some White House representatives were worried that in the event of a drone on the battlefield, the enemy may receive secret technologies of its production. The representative of the UAV General Atomics manufacturer confirmed this decision, but refused to comment on the details. The Pentagon and the White House did not make immediate comments.
In a letter written in September, 17 legislators called on Biden administration to consider sending Gray Eagle MQ-1C as soon as possible to the Ukrainian military as soon as possible, WSJ says. "Despite the importance of careful risk assessment and their softening, it should not occur at the expense of the lives of Ukrainians," the text of the letter reads.
The decision to cancel Gray Eagle MQ-1C was made after Russia has announced the withdrawal of troops from Kherson and surrounding areas, the newspaper said. "The refusal to provide Ukraine with shock drones complicates the army's task to defend civilian population and infrastructure that Russia attacks during the war," said officials who advocate for the transfer of the Armed Forces. MQ-1C Grey Eagle is an American reconnaissance and awarded drone manufactured by General Atomics.
It was made to order a US Air Force. Grey eagle length - 8 meters, height - 2. 1 meters. The maximum flight height is more than 8 kilometers. UAVs have a wingspan of 17 meters. Gray Eagle can fly up to 45 hours with increased fuel tanks. With combat load, hellfire, Stinger rockets and Viper Strike bombs, flight time will be more than 36 hours. Military experts call Gray Eagle a full -fledged shock machine because of the option of strikes of various ammunition.
It should be noted that the United States does not refuse to send Ukraine to Ukraine Grey Eagle for fear of response to Russia. In June, the states had the idea to sell 4 such UAVs, but in the Pentagon they were frightened that the devices would fall into the hands of Russia. In May this year, the United States approved an initiative to promote Ukraine's security for $ 40 billion. It was from this package that the Gray Eagle UAV was funded.