[Tyler]

UAV Destroys Unmanned System in Real Combat in Iraq
     


  An
article
in Aviation Week states that last week, a MQ-9 Reaper UAV destroyed
a "vehicle carrying a remotely controlled explosive device in southeast
Iraq". Gizmodo
claims that this is "the first time in history" that two unmanned
systems "engaged and destroyed" each other. Other articles do not
go that far; they only state that this is the first combat engagement
for this particular UAV. The Reapers have reportedly have been in combat
in Iraq since
July 18 of this year, and in Afghanistan since last year. One
source says that "the Reaper costs about 80 percent less than a
manned fighter-bomber," "uses more than 90 percent less fuel, and can
stay in the air over a target three or four times longer than a jet
fighter". The smaller and less powerful MQ-1
Predator UAV is also being used in combat missions.
   

http://robots.net/article/2625.html