It probably would help their credibility a lot if they didn't stage these presentations in what looks like the local school's gym decorated with some preschooler made flags costing about $11 each. Ah, yes, not using something that looks like a bunch of guys had too much time with too much plywood also helps.
In case they really did get their hands on the real thing: kudos to them. I'm sure Russian and Chinese experts are already on their way...
Can't help it...my skepticism meter is pinging. I've seen photos and video of the "captured" UAV several times now, and I still don't see any stencil markings on this thing. US military hardware is constructed with the belief that the maintainers will be complete idiots and stencil every service door, post warnings on moving surfaces, plaster the model and serial number in prominent places, etc. Do you see any markings? It may be a very bad video transfer, but that's a strange color for a piece of US military hardware. What would you call it...puice? Every UAV I've ever seen is battlefield gray, or for test purposes, some high-visibility color. I wonder if we're prevented from seeing the underside because there is no underside? I agree totally with your "plywood" comment--there's nothing here that could not be crafted by a skilled modeler.
ReplyDeleteWhile not impossible, I find it difficult to believe the Iranians gained electronic control of a UAV. If they could, they don't need to examine it closely--they already have mastered the technology.
Guys, the Russians have their own stealth drone, the Mig Skat - and besides, the theory underneath the stealth planes has been developed by a Russian mathematician. They know the basics. They will love getting their fingers on comm and radar facilities, though.
ReplyDeleteAs to remote control.. difficult to believe, yes, but a year ago there was a case where the US Army in Iraq had surveillance drones transmit in clear - so that the insurgents knew well in advance when to vacate the position. The US Army shot up a lot of empty houses.
Never estimate the possibility of criminal idiocy. Even in such a professional organization as USAF.
That said, it is not improbable that the drone comms simply malfunctioned, and that the thing flew straight until it ran out of fuel somewhere over Iran and dropped.