USAF shots down uncontrollable MQ-9

An Air Force MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft crashed in Afghanistan Sept. 13 at approximately 5:30 a.m. Kabul time.

The aircraft was flying a combat mission when positive control of the aircraft was lost. When the aircraft remained on a course that would depart Afghanistan airspace, a U.S. Air Force manned aircraft took proactive measures to down the MQ-9 in a remote area of northern Afghanistan.

The Reaper impacted the side of a mountain and there were no reports of civilian injuries or damage to civilian property at the site.

The aircraft is a medium-to-high altitude long-endurance, unmanned aircraft system. The MQ-9's primary mission is as a persistent hunter-killer against emerging targets to achieve joint force commander objectives.

A board will be convened to investigate the incident.

Posted in: Afghanistan,Fighting Al Qaeda and Taliban,USA