Weaponised Foxbat

[FlyBoy1960]

These have been around since 2008 as UAV aircraft.

 

One of the reasons Textron purchased Pipistrel according to the article.

 

 

[facthunter]

They'd be cheap second hand/ Low Hours.  Nev

[FlyBoy1960]

According to the article, they are flying 36 hours at a time in the Middle East. They are doing 55 flights before the engine reaches TBO so the engines are getting replaced every 3 to 4 months  and these engines which are out of time but only a few months old get "disposed of" whatever that means. Imagine the parts supply for us regular people, almost new parts really cheap but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be happening.

 

The article mentions they are flown out of Jordan but operated out of New Mexico. A normal flight is 36 hours but they can do 45 if needed. The Gimbal on the bottom is water cooled and worth ~$2 million and is used for surveillance, targeting and everything else. The payload is the expensive part and the engine is considered a disposable part based on the hours they are doing

[facthunter]

I thought a few would get shot down..  Nev

[Red]

4 hours ago, FlyBoy1960 said:

According to the article, they are flying 36 hours at a time in the Middle East. They are doing 55 flights before the engine reaches TBO so the engines are getting replaced every 3 to 4 months  and these engines which are out of time but only a few months old get "disposed of" whatever that means. Imagine the parts supply for us regular people, almost new parts really cheap but unfortunately that doesn't seem to be happening.

 

The article mentions they are flown out of Jordan but operated out of New Mexico. A normal flight is 36 hours but they can do 45 if needed. The Gimbal on the bottom is water cooled and worth ~$2 million and is used for surveillance, targeting and everything else. The payload is the expensive part and the engine is considered a disposable part based on the hours they are doing

Could you post a link to the article please?

 

[FlyBoy1960]

The only public article is here

 

https://www.twz.com/40255/crash-in-iraq-helps-unmask-secretive-ultra-quiet-special-operations-drone-program

 

There are more but you need to register etc.  

[Moneybox]

On 11/03/2025 at 5:59 AM, FlyBoy1960 said:

These have been around since 2008 as UAV aircraft.

 

One of the reasons Textron purchased Pipistrel according to the article.

 

 

 

The last thing we need is to have civilian aircraft to be seen as a potential threat. It would present the same problems as a women and children carrying machines guns. Next you see well decorated members of the armed forces charged with war crimes for taking action against civilian targets. 

[facthunter]

Haven't I told you a Million times not to exaggerate?  Nev

[Moneybox]

3 hours ago, facthunter said:

Haven't I told you a Million times not to exaggerate?  Nev

Not yet but I'm count'n 

[skippydiesel]

Years ago there was a "story" that Rotax engines were sold to the USA military, on condition that none would ever enter the civilian market ie would, after decommissioning, be destroyed 😈