Message posted by gary on January 25, 2002 at 19:27:01 PST:

I think this quote is revisionist history:
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If the aircraft taking that video could be armed, it could carry out the strike on its own reconnaissance. In the final months of the Clinton Administration an effort to arm the Predator was underway.
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Here is the real story, still on the net fortunately:
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The most innovative Serb anti-UAV tactic was the use of helicopters. It appears that the first Hunter of the campaign was lost after the Serbs launched a Mil Mi-8 HIP helicopter to fly alongside the UAV and then a door gunner blasted the air vehicle with a 7.62mm machine gun. This then became a favourite tactic until allied fighters made it rather dangerous.

http://defence-data.com/features/fpage34.htm
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Anyway, arming the UAVs was a good idea, just so no one gets too close. I'm not so sure making them a serious first strike vehicle is a good idea if the weight reduces the loiter time.

In Reply to: Re: replica of bin Laden's Kandahar complex built in Nevada ranges posted by zipper on January 25, 2002 at 16:43:36 PST:

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