Warning flare fired at Iranian jet trailing U.S. Predator

[Forever_frost]

Warning flare fired at Iranian jet trailing U.S. Predator

By Brian Everstine - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Mar 14, 2013 15:44:50 EDT

An American fighter jet was forced to shoot a flare to deter an Iranian F-4 on Thursday as it pursued an Air Force MQ-1 Predator over international waters.

The MQ-1 was flying unarmed reconnaissance over the Arabian Gulf when it was approached by the F-4, Pentagon spokesman George Little said in a statement. The Iranian jet came within 16 miles of the unmanned Predator.

Two American fighter jets were escorting the Predator and fired the flare as a warning, ending the situation. All American aircraft remained in international waters, Little said.

Last November, an Iranian Su-25 jet fired on an unarmed MQ-1 in international waters, according to the Pentagon. After that incident, the U.S. told Iran that it would continue to fly the surveillance flights and “we reserve the right to protect our military assets as well as our forces and will continue to do so going forward.”

http://www.militarytimes.com/news/2013/03/airforce-iran-predator-031413/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

[YALE]

Their air force must really suck, if they have to use ground attack aircraft as interceptors.

[Geor!]

Their air force must really suck, if they have to use ground attack aircraft as interceptors.

Or how about, why were they able to ID an airborne drone in the first place?

[mstng86]

Doesn't it bother you that you have to get up in the morning and you have to put on a bunch of pieces of flair?

[motoman]

Or how about, why were they able to ID an airborne drone in the first place?

The U.S. isn't the only country to have radar. Besides, those drones we use aren't the smallest aircraft in the world.

General Characteristics
Primary Function: Armed reconnaissance, airborne surveillance and target acquisition
Contractor: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.
Power Plant: Rotax 914F four cylinder engine
Thrust: 115 horsepower
Wingspan: 55 feet (16.8 meters)
Length: 27 feet (8.22 meters)
Height: 6.9 feet (2.1 meters)
Weight: 1,130 pounds ( 512 kilograms) empty
Maximum takeoff weight: 2,250 pounds (1,020 kilograms)
Fuel Capacity: 665 pounds (100 gallons)
Payload: 450 pounds (204 kilograms)
Speed: Cruise speed around 84 mph (70 knots), up to 135 mph
Range: Up to 770 miles (675 nautical miles)
Ceiling: Up to 25,000 feet (7,620 meters)
Armament: Two laser-guided AGM-114 Hellfire missiles
Crew (remote): Two (pilot and sensor operator)
Initial operational capability: March 2005
Unit Cost: $20 million (fiscal 2009 dollars) (includes four aircraft, a ground control station and a Predator Primary Satellite Link)

[Vertnut]

F-4? I'm surprised they can even keep 55-year-old planes in the air.

[Couver]

Their air force must really suck, if they have to use ground attack aircraft as interceptors.

F-4s have a lot of 60s air to air capabilities the new missiles we so good they didn't even build it with a gun. Did have AIM-9 s and AIM-7s

***edit I wonder if we sold them the version with the gun pods?

[ram57ta]

F-4? I'm surprised they can even keep 55-year-old planes in the air.

F4 is one of the most capable jet fighters the US military ever flew...it served in all branches in various roles and was still being used into the 90's...just because its old doesn't mean its not capable in certain roles.

[Moose242]

Shit the f15 is 40 years old and it is the best fighter plane to have ever graced this planet. 120 something kills, zero losses.

Technological plateaus suck.

[ELVIS]

It's the foxbody of jets.

God bless.

[Vertnut]

F4 is one of the most capable jet fighters the US military ever flew...it served in all branches in various roles and was still being used into the 90's...just because its old doesn't mean its not capable in certain roles.

I know a little about the F4's. My uncle flew one off of the USS Enterprise in the mid-'60's. I said "They", not "us". Support and parts availability are a lot different there than they are here.

[helosailor]

I know a little about the F4's. My uncle flew one off of the USS Enterprise in the mid-'60's. I said "They", not "us". Support and parts availability are a lot different there than they are here.

I was kind of wondering where they've been getting the parts for them since 1979.

[Vertnut]

I was kind of wondering where they've been getting the parts for them since 1979.

That was more my point.

[Ted]

The F4 was one of my favorite Micro Machines planes

[Gargamel]

FYI,
The F-4E has an internal gun.

Most earlier models have the capability of carrying the gun pod.