XPost: sci.military.naval, soc.history.war.misc
So, what do you think the fuel dumping was about,
trying to have the drone ignite and burn up?
from
https://www.npr.org/2023/03/16/1163845903/video-drone-crash-russia-black-sea
The U.S. military releases footage of Black Sea drone crash with Russian jet Updated March 16, 20239:20 AM ET
By
Emily Olson
Bill Chappell
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A Russian Su-27 fighter jet releases fuel as it approaches the rear of a
U.S. Air Force MQ-9, in what the Pentagon says was "an unsafe and unprofessional intercept" over the Black Sea.
U.S. European Command video / Screenshot by NPR
The U.S. European Command has declassified footage showing the moments
when two Russian fighter jets flew very close to a U.S. drone over the
Black Sea, dumping fuel on it — and, the Pentagon says, eventually
flying into the drone. The video footage appears to show the U.S. craft
was damaged by a collision.
The release of the video comes two days after the Pentagon said a
Russian Su-27 fighter clipped the propeller of an uncrewed MQ-9 Reaper
drone that was operating in international airspace, forcing it down into
the water. The Kremlin says its jets did not make contact with the drone.
The footage gives brief glimpses of the encounter, which U.S. officials
say lasted for at least a half hour. The Pentagon says the video depicts
events in the order they happened, although it was edited to condense
the action.
Footage released by the U.S. European Command appears to show the
moments two Russian Su-27 aircraft approached an uncrewed MQ-9 drone
over the Black Sea.
U.S. European Command YouTube
In the 42-second video, a Russian Su-27 aircraft is seen approaching
from the drone's rear quarter, releasing a plume of fuel as it pulls
upward and over the drone, causing the footage to partially pixelate.
The camera recovers as the fighter jet pulls away, showing the drone's rear-mounted propeller in normal working condition.
The footage then shows what the Pentagon says is an "even closer" pass
from a Russian jet.
Approaching from what looks to be a lower angle, the Su-27 releases more
fuel and its fuselage is seen coming extremely close to the drone before
the video cuts out entirely. The Pentagon says the camera feed was lost
for around 60 seconds.
When the feed returns, the camera, which is mounted beneath the MQ-9,
pivots to show the drone's propeller has been partially mangled.
Shortly afterward, the aircraft crashed into the Black Sea off the
southern coast of Ukraine — a country that the U.S. and dozens of other countries are supporting in its war against Russia. The U.S. has been monitoring movements by Russian troops and warships in the area.
The U.S. European Command described the encounter as "an unsafe and unprofessional intercept."
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (left) listens as Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark Milley discusses the downed MQ-9
drone during a press conference at the Pentagon on Wednesday.
Alex Wong/Getty Images
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, U.S. Army Gen. Mark Milley said he
wasn't sure whether the Russian jet had intentionally made contact with
the U.S. drone.
"Was it intentional or not? Don't know yet. We know the intercept was intentional. We know the aggressive behavior was intentional. We also
know it was very unprofessional," he said.
Russia's Defense Ministry insists that its fighter jets did not attack
or come into contact with the drone, alleging that the U.S. craft lost stability and control as a result of "quick maneuvering," before losing altitude and crashing into the Black Sea.
As for whether the U.S. will seek to recover the downed drone, Milley
said on Wednesday that the aircraft crashed in waters that are 4,000 or
5,000 feet deep, making any recovery operation difficult. But he also
said the Pentagon is looking at options — which would include its
allies, he said, because the U.S. doesn't have "any naval surface
vessels in the Black Sea at this time."
Russia says it is looking for the drone.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
NPR's Greg Myre contributed to this story.
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