New details on F-16, drone collision in banned Arizona airspace

[Attilatheblond]

https://dronedj.com/2024/04/09/new-details-on-f-16-drone-collision-in-banned-arizona-airspace/?extended-comments=1]

The investigative unit of TV station Arizona Family discovered and looked into the illicit drone incursions into the test zone, and has now provided the additional details into the collision with a military jet. It occurred at 1,745 feet, when the pilot of an F-16 pilot witnessed the impact between the UAV and his aircraft. Despite the high speed of the collision, the fighter plane suffered no notable damage.

...
A subsequent inspection following this plane’s immediate return to base confirmed no damage resulted from the impact.

The location of that strike lies within highly restricted area R2301E, which is part of the Barry M. Goldwater Range used by the US military for pilot training and sensitive ground exercises.

In addition to their presence in that banned area, some of the drones sighted were operating at altitudes of 20,000 feet – well beyond the capabilities of most consumer UAVs, and a height even amateur thrill-seekers wouldn’t often dare.

It’s also unlikely the drones are among what a top US military official recently revealed were “probably over 1,000” monthly UAV incursions across or around the US southern border. While the military test flight zone is down in that general area, former fighter pilots told Arizona Family that the extreme altitudes involved lead them to conclude the invading craft “belong to one or several foreign governments, hoping to gather information about US. air power.”

Gee, is it possible the most serious threat at the border is not brown people looking for work & answering the siren song of ILLEGAL EMPLOYERS on the north side of the line? Is it possible we have some problems with security involving our various military weapons and foreign spies? Anybody have a guess when the GOP might switch their focus onto some real problems with adversaries of the US instead of the carnival barking about people poisoning the blood of the nation?

Yeah, not gonna hold my breath waiting for GOP pander pols to actually consider possible national security threats from governments those GOP pols seem to serve instead of ours.

[getagrip_already]

1. Certainly not if it involves turning focus to russia

Or China, or Iran, or north Korea.

All allies of Maga nation.

[mn9driver]

2. Drone could have easily caused the loss of the aircraft.

F16 engines don’t like to eat birds. I imagine they like a commercial sized drone even less. And the F16 only has one engine.

[Attilatheblond]

3. Yep. Was thinking that could be sort of an act of war

If not espionage at the very least.