An MQ-1B Predator remotely piloted aircraft crashed during an Operation Inherent Resolve sortie supporting operations over central Iraq last week, Air Force Central Command officials announced. Controllers lost contact with the RPA during mid-flight at approximately 12:50 p.m. local time on Jan. 7, and were unable to re-establish control of the Predator. The incident was due to technical failure rather than enemy fire, according to officials. The MQ-1 was completely destroyed on impact and posed no risk of falling into enemy hands. No injury to civilian or military personnel were reported, and the incident caused no significant damage to property, according to the release. The first MQ-1 lost in combat supporting OIR crashed in Syria last March. Counting a crash in Iraq last June, and two additional losses in a single week last October, the most recent incident brings OIR Predator losses to at least five. The cause of last week’s crash is currently under investigation.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
