An Air Force MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle crashed at 3:30 a.m. Tuesday during operations in Iraq. The UAV was based with the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron at Balad Air Base and was piloted from Creech AFB, Nev. Airmen and soldiers recovered the wreckage shortly after the crash and returned it to Balad. According to Central Command Air Forces, an interim safety investigation board president has been appointed and will conduct an investigation.
While the Pentagon has signaled its intent to scale technology, field new systems faster, and work more with nontraditional vendors, a new report identifies persistent manufacturing capacity, resourcing, workforce, and modernization challenges that could hinder its ability to deliver on those goals.