US Air Force Predator Crashes in Eastern Afghanistan

An MQ-1 Predator, like the one shown here, has crashed in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt Col Leslie Pratt.)

Dispatches from the Front:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, April 21, 2009 -- An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft crashed in eastern Afghanistan April 21 in the early morning hours. The crash was not due to hostile fire.

The aircraft is a medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft. The MQ-1's primary mission is conducting armed reconnaissance.

A board will be convened to investigate the incident.

(Report from a U.S. Air Force news release.)

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