USAFRICOM confirms Gray Eagle crash
US Africa Command (USAFRICOM) has confirmed that one of its MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAVs crashed near Agadez, Niger on 29 February.
The incident was confirmed by the organisation in a tweet on 2 March: ‘US Africa Command lost one remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in vicinity of Agadez, Niger. Our initial and current assessment is that the RPA was lost due to mechanical failure.’
In images circulated on unverified social media accounts, local residents posed with the wreckage. At least one Hellfire missile, which survived the incident, was also pictured.
The US has an air base on the outskirts of Agadez, from where it operates UAVs for ISR missions in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
NATO uncrewed maritime exercise under way off the coast of Portugal
Twenty-five navies, eight NATO entities and more than thirty companies and universities are currently involved in Robotic Experimentation Prototyping Augmented by Maritime Unmanned Systems Exercise 2023 (REPMUS 23), held off the coast of Portugal until 29 September.
-
Ukraine shows combat-tested armament at DSEI 2023
The Ukrainian pavilion at DSEI 2023, organised by state-owned Spetstechnoexport, exhibited several indigenous combat-tested systems, including UAVs, USVs and an evacuation vehicle.
-
DSEI: Milrem displays new versions of THeMIS and reveals plans for larger UGV
Milrem Robotics has now supplied more than 100 of its Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) hybrid UGVs including approximately 15 for service in Ukraine. Lessons learned are continuing to inform the platform’s development, according to the company.
-
Leonardo and UK MoD unveil rotary-wing UAS at DSEI 2023
The design selected for the Rotary Wing Uncrewed Autonomous System is best suited for maritime operations.
-
DSEI 2023: Irish company Reamda develops upgradeable dual-use Casur UGV
Reamda is designing a new SWAT version of its Riddler tactical UGV, to be designated Casur which is Irish for hammer, and designing a smaller lightweight version of its controller.