US try to save the whipped MQ-9 from capture: what technology can Russia get

On March 14, a representative of the White House National Security Council, John Kirby, declared a journalist CNN Jake Tappper in The Lead program that the United States took a number of measures to protect their property - a whipped UAV but not to disclose details. According to the official, the Americans do not want the fragments of the aircraft to get into someone else's hands.

And this is understandable, since the Western military repeatedly voiced fears due to the possible capture of the Russians by the advanced technologies in the war in Ukraine. John Kirby added that Russian planes have often been intercepted by American over the Black Sea, and several such incidents have occurred in recent weeks. The uniqueness of the MQ-9 Reaper is "dangerous, unprofessional and reckless" actions of Russia.

Pentagon representative Bryadna Patrick Ryder during a briefing on Tuesday reported that Russia did not raise the fragments of the whipped MQ-9 Reaper. The US is preparing to publish an image of the incident with the drone, but the military did not specify what materials are about. General Ryder also refused to comment on any MQ-9 rise from the Black Sea. The BBC states that the pro-Russian telegram channels have an audio recording of alleged radio interceptions of the Russian military.

On it, some people in Russian discuss the lifting from the bottom of the wreckage of drone, in particular, the "casing of the internal combustion engine". The US authorities have not commented on this information yet. According to The New York Times, referring to a high-ranking military from the United States, in the morning, MQ-9 departed from its base in Romania for a regularly planned intelligence mission, which usually lasts from 9 to 10 hours.

According to a government official, Reaper was unarmed. According to CNN, the US was used by MQ-9 Reaper drones over the Black Sea long before the full-scale invasion of Russia into Ukraine to keep track of the region. The official website of the Air Force states that such drones are designed primarily for intelligence, but if necessary, they can strike, support from the air, search, make other weapons, accompany combat units and escorts.

The MQ-9 Reaper manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is equipped with intelligence collection equipment for a long time, including wide range sensors and a multi-mode communication complex. Even the basic version of UAV has a multi -spectral guide on the basis of monochrome TV camera, infrared sensor, short -wave infrared chamber. The military can watch videos from each component separately or combine them into one stream.

The "genres" also have laser rangefier and targets, which accurately defines goals for further attack by high-precision ammunition, such as UNIT-12 Paveway II bombs or Hellfire missiles. In addition to the managed, MQ-9 can carry direct guidance: GBU-38 and GBU-54. To identify objects, the drone uses a radar with synthesized aperture. The useful load can be changed depending on the combat mission.

The MQ-9 Reaper Aviation Complex consists of four UAVs, a land control station, a Predator's main satellite communication channel and spare equipment. The pilot must constantly control the drone with the support of the assistants responsible for sensors and weapons. The MQ-9 can only fly and sit at the aerodromes where the terrestrial data terminal is installed, and satellites keep the connection outside the direct visibility of operators. The cost of one complex is estimated at $ 56. 5 million.