Predator Crashes in Afghanistan Air Forces Central reported Friday that an MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle had crashed that afternoon in eastern Afghanistan. AFCENT stated the “crash was not due to hostile fire,” despite some news reports to the contrary. There were no injuries or damage to property. The Air Force will investigate the accident.
The Air Force is upgrading some 70 MQ-9 Reapers to a new configuration that will keep the type capable and relevant to the near-peer fight for another 15 years. It awarded General Atomics a $272.3 million contract to enhance the Reaper's weapons, electric power, connectivity, and resistance to jamming, among…