An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft crashed during a routine training sortie from Creech AFB, Nev., early on Dec. 11, 432nd Wing officials stated. The Reaper went down in an unpopulated area approximately one mile east of the base. Emergency responders were able to cordon off the wreck-site, and no Air Force or civilian personnel were injured in the mishap. Wing officials will release more information as it becomes available, according to a release. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The emphasis on speed in the Pentagon’s newly unveiled slate of acquisition reforms may come with increased near-term cost increases, analysts say. But according to U.S. defense officials, the new weapons-buying construct provides the military with enough flexibility to prevent runaway budget overruns in major programs.
