Report: Iranian Military Says it Shot Down U.S. Drone
- Posted on December 4, 2011 at 10:42am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Iranian military forces shot down an unmanned U.S. spy plane that violated Iranian airspace along the country’s eastern border, state media reported Sunday.
“Iran’s military has downed an intruding RQ-170 American drone in eastern Iran,” Iran’s Arabic-language Al Alam state television network quoted the unnamed source as saying, according to Reuters.
“The spy drone, which has been downed with little damage, was seized by the Iranian armed forces,” the network reported.
The U.S. has not yet commented on the report.
Iran said in January that two pilotless spy planes it had shot down over its airspace were operated by the United States and offered to put them on public display.
The Islamic Republic holds frequent military drills, primarily to assert an ability to defend against a potential U.S. or Israeli attack on its nuclear facilities.
Tehran has focused part of its military strategy on producing drones for reconnaissance and attacking purposes.
Iran announced three years ago it had built an unmanned aircraft with a range of more than 600 miles (1,000 kilometers), far enough to reach Israel.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad unveiled the country’s first domestically built unmanned bomber aircraft in August 2010, calling it an “ambassador of death” to Iran’s enemies.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is a breaking news story. Updates will be added.
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Comments (75)
midnightgolfer
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 3:01pmSorry, that one was mine. One of these days, all these freebooter drones are going to start a problem.
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 5:31pmIf that was one of our drones, we committed an act of war. We have become a belligerent nation, barely recognizable from our more humble, and lawful, past. Shameful.
Report Post »Latter-Day-Soldier
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 7:07am@ smackdown: Violation of another countries airspace is an international incident whereas Iran shooting one of OUR aircraft down, that is an act of war.
Report Post »Isn‘t it interesting that Iran has really ratcheted up it’s saber-rattling after Obama took office?
aerorepairo
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 9:38amSo the military lost a drone to Iran. A modern and highly advanced drone. So my question is. . . Why are these deployed highly sensitive drones not equipped with remote explosives? I think once the Drone was captured that would have been an opportune time to detonate the explosive taking out some Iranians. Liberals would say, “we are not at war with Iran they are our brothers!!” Wrong!!! They have already declared war with US. Whether we have declared it or not we are at war with Iran.
Report Post »Lars Skipole
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 2:34pmYou would think that if it was on public display there would be a picture somewhere???
Report Post »antrancher
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 3:04pmReally! That would be bragging about shooting the drone and have pictures of it. These are the dumbest hacks on earth! Ever heard the old saying “A coward will kill you”?
Report Post »Latter-Day-Soldier
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 7:08amNo picture until the Iranians are done cannibalizing our u.a.v. so they can “upgrade” their own drones.
Report Post »Just a thought lol
shift
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 2:26pmEverything that comes out of Iran is a lie, the entire world knows it so until we see proof then this is really a non-story, even if it was so what, it would take 50 years for the Iranians to backwards engineer one of our drones, by then there will be nothing but a gaping nuclear hole in the ground.
Report Post »pavepaws
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 3:11pmWith Chinese help?
Report Post »M 4 Colt
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 5:56pmPavepaws, i think your way underestimating the Chinese, don’t forget that almost ALL US military DOD weapon system electronics and circuit boards are now being made for us in China.
Report Post »TTRR
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 2:24pmWell, good golly! Isn’t this why we have drones in the first place? So that when they do get shot down (and they will get shot down) we will not lose any of our service people in the process?
Report Post »SekndAmendment
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 3:03pmAbsolutely. The cost of losing a drive is still cheaper than losing a conventional aircraft and its pilot. There is honestly little need for us to fly drones for reconnaissance because our satellites are capable of taking photos of almost the same resolution. If we felt threatened by Iran we’d send a better drone with the sand range as the Iranian bomber….it’s called a tomahawk cruise missile and we build them cheaper than reconnaissance drones.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 4:21pmI wouldn’t put it past the Iranians to shoot down a drone on the Afghan side of the border, run over pick up the debris & claim that it had crossed into Iranian space.
they are like everybody else. They calculate & miscalculate. When they think they have enough to win, they’ll start something like Hitler. It won’t matter, if we want to tango or not (pacifist are too dogmatic to accept this fact).
Report Post »mrawfull
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 2:09pmEarly Christmas present courtesy of Hussein. The Russians and Chinese will be all over this one.
Report Post »wtd
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 4:36pmRecall the effect of Stuxnet I & II and recent reports of two of Iran’s nuclear facilities up in flames . . . I like to think this alleged downing of a drone could yet be another stealth ‘gift that keeps on giving’.
Report Post »scuba13
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 2:01pmThat was just Abdulals trash can lid from down street, he is out looking for it right now.
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 1:21pmI would hope even idiots like the obama regime would have spy drones flying all over Iran. The fact that the Iranians say they shot one down does not trouble me. First…lets see the destroyed drone. Second…it is no great feat to shoot one down. That means while they are shooting one down there are a hundred that are still roaming Iranian skies. I really do not believe them, but if they did…so what?
Report Post »hadenoughinpa
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 1:47pmFill the drones with bacon fat If shot down they won’t be touched
Report Post »Mikev5
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 1:11pmThis I do not question we should be watching them they want to harm us they are the enemy.
So what we will keep doing it.
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 1:08pmIran shot down a drone?
GOOD!
One less drone my criminal government can target ME with.
Happy Shooting!
Report Post »CanteenBoy
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 5:41pmYou have a choice of governments. You can leave the United States for a better government. I encourage you!
Report Post »V-MAN MACE
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 9:46pmHow about NO… I’m not going anywhere as long as I, my fellow countrymen, and OUR GUNS have anything to say about it, and the corrupt criminals in my government can get out of MY country? Maybe go to the moon and start a corrupt government there?
How about this…if you LIKE this corrupt, criminal government, and love IT more than our country and constitution, you can come and TRY to MAKE ME (and the hundreds of milions who agree with me) get out.
Otherwise, you shut your trap. My choice is to get rid of the criminals and restore my consitutional government, come hell or high water. There is no place left to run, and I’m not a coward.
So pick a side.
Report Post »4-The-Truth
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 1:02pmWhy does Iran need drones? Did they run out of virgins or just enough Iranians smart enough to operate technology with out blowing themselves up?
Report Post »chazman
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 1:07pm… so … let‘s see those ’America’ drones, you pack of muslim Iranian morons!!!
DEATH TO ISLAM!!
Report Post »hadenoughinpa
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 1:48pmFill the drones with bacon
Report Post »Joyce D
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 12:58pmIn the long history of warfare there is a constant evolution of technology on both sides in developing countermeasures. The very attributes of drones that make them ideal for reconnaissance (low and slow, long hang time over an area) also make them vulnerable to attack. The drones of today must evolve into mach 3, 2000 mph aircraft capable of sustaining 10g forces with pre-programmed evasive manuevers to stay relevant on any future battlefield.
The drones flying over Gaza, Lebanon, Waziristan, Tehran, Qom, Yemen, Madison Wisconsin and Zucotti Park today will eventually go the way of the Zepplins flying over London in 1917.
Report Post »Secessionista
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 12:44pmActions have consequences.
Interesting. I wonder why we would offend a sovereign nation by flying our drones over their territory? And I further wonder why some of us would begin saber-rattling due to the failure of our drone in a foreign land.
I’ll get upset when an Iranian drone is shot down over our territory, that is the moment I will approve an attack on Iran. Now tell me, is it fair to expect similar treatment? If they find us trespassing, wouldn’t we expect them to attack us now?
Actions have consequences.
Again, we have started a war. The drone was a military invasion, plain and simple. No matter how rotten Iran is, Iran is justified to retaliate. And they will, they will probably attack us in Israel.
Actions have consequences.
Report Post »thekuligs
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 1:02pmIf we attacked everyone who spys on us we would be at war constantly–not that we aren’t already. China spies on us for example… we know they do, and we spy on them, should we all go attack eachother? That would be a little awkward considering how much money we owe them…
I think drones over Iran to be defensive measure. They openly claim to hate us–when are we going to start listening to the people who say they want to destroy us?
Though I think Iran is full of it in this particular reguard, I don’t think the US is off base with keeping tabs on our enemies, because they are keeping tabs on us.
Report Post »paulusmaximus
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 1:20pmYes! And ignorance is the action with the greatest consequence.
Report Post »morristhewise
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 12:41pmThe drone has the latest stealth technology and it is now in Iranian hands. A swat team of at least a dozen of our best men has to be deployed. They can use explosives to destroy the drone before it is sold to China.
Report Post »wellhangingchad
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 12:58pmThis is probably one of the drones we gave to the peaceful Egyptian govt. They gave it to Iran as a gift of their intentions to join the califate.
Report Post »garyM
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 12:20pmI would think that our drones would have some kind of remote aircraft destruction device on them if they were to be shot down, if not, maybe they need to add that feature. Not to have such a device is a security issue for the enemy to gain intelligence design info from us. The SEALS blew up the helicopter in the Bil Laden raid, I would imagine they had a self destruction device on it!
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 2:03pmPerhaps this is the source of the military base explosions in Iran; trying to disassemble the prior drones. Thus making these self-destructing drones IEDS American style.
Report Post »ddg7
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:49amIsn’t it strange how the U.S. is following Ron Paul’s strategy against Iran.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 3:03pmOr are we??
Report Post »Grace1798
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:49amRon Paul said Iran is ALL TALK. They don’t mean it!
Report Post »mountainb
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 12:40pmron paul is the perfect example of the idiot in the room that listens to a few points made by the majority and does not understand any of them… He repeats them and might as well be reading a teleprompter like our idiot in chief!!
Report Post »AmericanPatriot01
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 2:09pmRon Paul said that Iran is all talk and cannot back up its claims. They do not and will not have the tech to attack us directly and Isreal can defend itself if we would just get out of the way and stop binding their hands and supporting their enemies. He is absolutely correct in his approach. If they wre to attack us, he would use swift and deadly force take out the threat, and come home. He would not engage in building up their country and propping up a new gov’t for them. He would leave it a waste land, as it should be. I don’t see a problem with that. Besides he would only do that if congress authorizes the action/war as stated in the constitution. He would not take action unilaterally against the limitations of the Constitution, PERIOD!
WAKE UP!!
Report Post »whatthecrazy
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:33amJust nuke em already dang where are the kahoonas?
Report Post »Roadking3131
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 8:49pmNow you‘re talkin’ !
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:32amMr Obama is getting ready to send in the troops once again, to continue us in his series of useless wars for the twin purpose of bleeding us dry on foreign adventurism — economically and in blood of our soldiers. This is another worthless war unless Iran attacks first, unless we are going in for the sole purpose of neutralizing their nuke program…otherwise no troops on the ground.
Report Post »OMGGETACLUE
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:23amCareful…this could lead to an increase in the number of Prostitutes and Homosexuals.
Report Post »wtfhappend
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 12:28pmha! you know it, omama is going to have to give a speech too.
Report Post »CanteenBoy
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:21amMaybe it was intended to be shot down because it contains new spy technology and we are following where it goes?
Report Post »alcarfl
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 12:20pmFast and Furious II
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 5:11pmOh no you di’int?!?! Great point!
Report Post »freeweever
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:14amShouldn’t that be construed as a threat to the President and all Progressives and liberal minions across America who are obviously marxist- “American drones”. I think it is a threat lol.
Report Post »Secessionista
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 10:59amIf we are sending in drones, it means we are preparing for an invasion/attack. Obama might get another Nobel Peace Prize for starting the 5th war of his administration.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:03amThe election is coming up, afterall. Liberals are a different animal; Marxists and progressives even worse. The ends always justify the means to these people.
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:04amIran has made this claim before, that it shot down a drone, again without pics. Although it is possible we have drones doing reconnaissance, it is doubtful. Reconnaissance we can do by satellite, and unless we are shooting missles, there is no reason to use a drone, and we are not STARTING the war by shooting one or two drone fired missiles. I call poppycock on this story. The interesting thing about the story is that Iran is threatening to take actions against the US outside of Iran. Threats from Iran sounds like provocation for war.
I say its time to open up Diego Garcia, dust off those Stealth Bombers and B52s and lighting off a couple off hundred Tomahawks. How about those rocket powered Bunker Busters that I read about a few days ago?
I say its time to get some payback for the 241 dead Americans killed in the USMC barracks, Lebanon, October 23, 1983. Let the Aryans feel the steel rain delivered by ghosts in the night. Its time to remind them that they fought Iraq to a stale mate at the cost of 1 million men and boys while we defeated Iraq in less than three weeks. Let them feel the pain of attacking the US and trying to inflict the Anti-Christ upon us all. Let them feel the pain…
Report Post »YepImaConservative
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:29amGood post ARMED PATRIOT. Agreed.
“Let the ”Aryans” feel the steel rain delivered by ghosts in the night.” That means we will have to go after some Ron Paul supporters (hiding in their ~nations~ here in the U.S.) too I reckin’. Collateral damage I guess. Lol.
Report Post »Rightallalong
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 12:06pmAnyone that advocates war so they can feel like a big man is no man, and just because one calls himself a patriot does not mean he is a partriot. When it all come down people that are promoting war with Iran will be the same ones begging the government to take care of them … what a bunch of mindless followers!
Report Post »thekuligs
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 12:56pmARMED PATRIOT I think the same, it’s a load of bull. Just like we have Pakistan now claiming that we are evcuating an Air Base because they “told us to” when our military said a couple of weeks ago that we stoped using that base a year ago. Must be the week for everyone to try and feel better about their odds of taking down America’s Military.
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 1:56pmRightallalong… Sorry… You are right. I was in USMCboot camp when fellow Marines were murdered by Iran in Lebanon. I have no right to feel they should be avenged. Nor should the Americans killed in Iraq by Iranian IEDs. I have no right to feel that we need to defend Israel from the country that has openly stated their intentions to “wipe Israel from the book of time”.
For your info, Iran has been at war with the US and Israel since 1979, time to shoot back.
As for asking the Govt for a handout…. I have served in the USMC, the US Army, and the CAANG. I am a firearms dealer. I want every part of the Government out of my life and out of MY business. I have an additional job where I show up at whatever time, day or night, my boss tells me to… on any day. I stay until my boss says Im done. I work as much as I can to pay my mortgage and pay my bills. I write my congressman to tell him my views. I write my senators for the same. I write Boehner and Pelosi also. I take an active part in my government do you? Stop point fingers at others if you dont stand up and take part.
What have you done other than to point fingers and call names???
Report Post »Armed Patriot
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 1:58pmRightallalong… By the way… What kind of a dandy fellow woulfd have his avatar of nobama kissing chavez??? Looks pretty mary of you. Just saying…
Report Post »Rightallalong
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 6:32pmArmed Patriot – Desert Storm, tanker …as for the picture – its a picture of our ‘Disaster in Chief’ whom you obviously want to follow into Iran, kissing Chavez whom I guess you would love to follow as well… but leave it to you someone whom is not mature enough to understand the concept of blow-back to try and make a gay joke out of a serious situation in the world where we are lossing our freedom as our socialist president sends us down the same path as the societ union. To bad you do not undestand that is what is going on… mores the pity
Report Post »Rightallalong
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 7:04pmArmed Patriot – Also suggest your read War is a Racket, by Major General Smedley Darlington Butler, USMC
Report Post »shirtsbyeric
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 10:53amI thought Obama was going to sit down and talk to these people. They should be our friends by now. It’s true, an eighteen year old first time voter told me so.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:31amAnd don’t forget about his “strongly worded” letters to them
Report Post »SamIamTwo
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 10:52amI heard it was a remote control hobby shop planes or one of those from toys or us being flown by a child.
Report Post »NewLife56
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 10:46amThis is a lie, Iran doesn’t even konow how to shoot a rubber band gun
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:03amIf this is true…. please pass info to the U.S people.
Report Post »I have a feeling it might come in handy.
Armed Patriot
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 11:03amIran has made this claim before, that it shot down a drone, again without pics. Although it is possible we have drones doing reconnaissance, it is doubtful. Reconnaissance we can do by satellite, and unless we are shooting missles, there is no reason to use a drone, and we are not STARTING the war by shooting one or two drone fired missiles. I call poppycock on this story. The interesting thing about the story is that Iran is threatening to take actions against the US outside of Iran. Threats from Iran sounds like provocation for war.
I say its time to open up Diego Garcia, dust off those Stealth Bombers and B52s and lighting off a couple off hundred Tomahawks. How about those rocket powered Bunker Busters that I read about a few days ago?
I say its time to get some payback for the 241 dead Americans killed in the USMC barracks, Lebanon, October 23, 1983. Let the Aryans feel the steel rain delivered by ghosts in the night. Its time to remind them that they fought Iraq to a stale mate at the cost of 1 million men and boys while we defeated Iraq in less than three weeks. Let them feel the pain of attacking the US and trying to inflict the Anti-Christ upon us all. Let them feel the pain.
Report Post »allen0617
Posted on December 4, 2011 at 1:17pmOMG! Rubber band guns. We need to stop Iran from making rubber bands if we can.
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