The MQ-1 Predator that crashed in Southwest Asia on March 27 was brought down by an engine fire, so determined an Air Combat Command crash investigation team. ACC released the investigation results Friday. There apparently was a fuel leak in the left forward part of the engine that was ignited “most likely” by the turbocharger, alternator, or cylinder head.
A top Pentagon tech official called on industry this week to help the military develop “lighter, more efficient” directed energy weapons designed to go on aircraft and conduct special operations missions or down drones—areas where the Air Force’s directed energy efforts have been quiet as of late.