MQ‑9 Reaper drone crash in Syria fuels speculation
An American MQ-9 Reaper drone has crashed in northern Syria. Videos of the incident and photos of the wreckage of this highly valuable unmanned aerial vehicle, estimated to be worth about £24 million, have appeared on social media. The causes of the incident remain unclear.
The American MQ-9 Reaper drone is often referred to as a “terrorist hunter.” However, this time, the drone belonging to the U.S. Air Force became a victim. The question remains unanswered as to whether a technical failure or so-called friendly fire caused the crash.
Causes of the MQ-9 Reaper drone crash
Observers on social media suggest that the crash of the MQ-9 Reaper could have been due to technical problems rather than being shot down. The drone was likely conducting a reconnaissance mission over Syria, where the rapid advances of opposition forces ended the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, who Russia and Iran supported.
Characteristics of the MQ-9 Reaper
The MQ-9 Reaper is a MALE class (Medium Altitude, Long Endurance) unmanned aerial vehicle designed for reconnaissance missions and attacks on significant targets using precision weapons. It was developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, based on the MQ-1 Predator, mainly for the U.S. Air Force.
This machine's turboprop engine allows it to reach speeds of over 400 km/h. The drone can ascend to an altitude of up to 15,000 metres and remain airborne for up to 28 hours (and up to 33 hours in the Reaper ER version).
The MQ-9 Reaper measures approximately 11 metres in length and can carry reconnaissance equipment or weapons with a total weight of 1,750 kilograms.
It has rich reconnaissance technology, such as the AN/APY-8 Lynx synthetic aperture radar, an electro-optical targeting system, and laser rangefinders and target designators. For example, the information collected can be transmitted to ground-based anti-tank missile launchers or allied aircraft. In combat missions, the MQ-9 Reaper’s arsenal may include not only bombs but also air-to-ground missiles, such as AGM-114 Hellfire or AIM-9 Sidewinder.
