US Air Force MQ-9 Drone Forced To Ditch After Mid-Air Collision With Russian Su-27
On March 14, 2023, a Russian Su-27 fighter jet collided with an unarmed U.S. MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance drone over the Black Sea. The mid-air collision resulted in the loss of the drone.
The incident occurred over international waters. The U.S. European Command (EUCOM) released video footage from the drone that crashed following the mid-air encounter with two Russian Su-27 "Flanker" aircraft.
The video footage shows the Russian Su-27 fighter jet flying aggressively past the drone and apparently dumping fuel on the uncrewed MQ-9. The mid-air collision damaged the American "Reaper" aircraft and the U.S. Air Force said the drone was forced to ditch in international waters. Russian forces are reported to be searching for the crashed aircraft's debris.
Craig has decades of experience contributing to Flight International, Aviation Week, KCRW, NPR, and appearances on the Discovery, Military and History Channels.
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