An MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft crashed in southeastern Iraq on Monday during a combat air patrol, announced Air Forces Central Command. The incident was “not due to enemy fire” states AFCENT’s release. Controllers lost “positive control” of the RPA during a sortie supporting anti-ISIS operations, and the aircraft impacted the ground at approximately 8:30 a.m. local time on June 22, without injuring civilians or damaging property, said AFCENT officials. The command will investigate the crash to determine the cause. Syrian government forces reportedly brought down an MQ-1 in Syrian airspace back in March. It was reportedly the first MQ-1 lost during anti-ISIS operations.
B-21 Raider First Flight Now Postponed to 2023
May 20, 2022
The Air Force says the B-21 Raider won't make its first flight until 2023; about a six-month delay from the last official estimates. No reason was given for the delay. While other programs have recently chalked up schedule slips to supply chain and labor shortages, the Air Force has said…