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Robb

(39,665 posts) Wed Dec 14, 2011, 10:49 PM Dec 2011

Ex-Pentagon official: Captured spy plane seems fake [View all]

Ex-Pentagon official: Captured spy plane seems fake
Updated 12m ago

The unmanned spy plane recently captured by Iran appears to be a fake, according to a former Pentagon official.

The former official, who saw video footage of the drone on display in Iran, said not only is it the wrong color, but also the welds along the wing joints do not appear to conform to the stealth design that helps it avoid radar detection. The official requested anonymity because he is not authorized to release information on the drone matter.

Iran said it managed to gain control of the RQ-170 Sentinel electronically and guide it down as it flew over its airspace.

The former official also questioned why the landing gear was covered up when displayed by the Iranian military. In the footage, the drone's underside is obscured with banners that read: "We'll trample America underfoot" and "The U.S. cannot do a damn thing."

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2011-12-14/iran-drone-united-states-spy-plane/51936376/1

45 replies

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Ex-Pentagon official: Captured spy plane seems fake [View all] Robb Dec 2011 OP

The welds on the wing joints look like masking tape. n/t Scuba Dec 2011 #1

They do, don't they? nt MADem Dec 2011 #30

And why are they displaying it in a high school gym? TlalocW Dec 2011 #2

So. . The pentagon lost a spy plane? annabanana Dec 2011 #3

Actually, I think they do know where it is. tabatha Dec 2011 #7

These drones are now very sophisticated. caseymoz Dec 2011 #10

They did lose track of one around the coast of Africa Angry Dragon Dec 2011 #11

They've also lost track of them over American soil. caseymoz Dec 2011 #12

DING DING DING! Annabanana, you're our grand prize winner! rocktivity Dec 2011 #16

Um, they didn't guide that down electronically. knitter4democracy Dec 2011 #4

so the Pentagon admits losing the plane, but the Iranians don't have it. provis99 Dec 2011 #5

see #7 tabatha Dec 2011 #8

Yah, that's why we axed for it back! tabasco Dec 2011 #6

Hey ......... I saw that plane in a 1950's- 1960's b-movie Angry Dragon Dec 2011 #9

I Was Thinking It Was A Trojan Horse Diliberately Crashed In Iran..... global1 Dec 2011 #13

That's entirely within the realm of possibility. Of course, we'd want to go through all the MADem Dec 2011 #31

Not fake. Poll_Blind Dec 2011 #14

"We'll see how the Iranians respond." Robb Dec 2011 #15

No reason to promote conspiracies, Robb. You should really... Poll_Blind Dec 2011 #17

He's guessing, same as me. Robb Dec 2011 #20

They have it. i_sometimes Dec 2011 #22

They have it, but that's not it. leveymg Dec 2011 #42

That's what I would think - a mock-up for public display bhikkhu Dec 2011 #44

Excellent link. Thanks. Little Tich Dec 2011 #21

Why would we "ask for it back" if it was fake? Renew Deal Dec 2011 #18

To make them believe that they have "the real thing" and not a glorified model airplane? nt MADem Dec 2011 #32

What would you do to make them believe it was real? jberryhill Dec 2011 #40

I thought so as well Dragonbreathp9d Dec 2011 #19

I thought they "shot" it down? If it was a hack then how do we know they didnt hack before it even cstanleytech Dec 2011 #23

Cheney had it towed to the high school gym Rosa Luxemburg Dec 2011 #24

Photo for comparison: ellisonz Dec 2011 #25

Sounds like sour grapes to me dipsydoodle Dec 2011 #26

The real one is lost, sitting on a hook like bait, or disassembled in an Iranian lab. hunter Dec 2011 #27

it looks like a cheap plastic toy, not a real drone. Odin2005 Dec 2011 #28

psy-ops to make Iranians doubt themselves n/t cosmicone Dec 2011 #29

Why are they hiding the undercarriage under those silly posters and a couple of bedspreads? MADem Dec 2011 #33

They may have overwaxed the floors, but I'm sure the kids' gyms in Iran get a lot of use. Bucky Dec 2011 #36

I do not think that is a "kid's" gym. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. MADem Dec 2011 #38

I feel sorry for the kids who can't have PE cause of this spy plane in their gym. Bucky Dec 2011 #34

I think co-ed basketball was canceled a looooong time ago. Robb Dec 2011 #35

Well duh... thescreaminghead Dec 2011 #37

Why? Wind Dancer Dec 2011 #41

Because if the MIC is going to soak US taxpayers by selling them more bombs.... JohnyCanuck Dec 2011 #43

thanks unionworks Dec 2011 #39

Latest theory/rumor: Pilot error/crash, and a bit of PAINT, no less! MADem Dec 2011 #45