US ‘introduces’ new drone model in Waziristan

[seruriermarshal]

US ‘introduces’ new drone model in Waziristan



Wednesday, March 24, 2010
By Bureau report

PESHAWAR: The tribesmen and militants in North Waziristan were surprised Tuesday when they saw a new type of the US spy planes in the air which were smaller in size but had a more thundering sound.

“It appears the US is manufacturing new planes and testing the product on us first,” remarked a scared tribesman, Abdul Hakim Khan, in Miramshah, the principal town of North Waziristan tribal region.

Abdul Hakim Khan said the new US spy planes in North Waziristan had terrified the tribesmen, particularly the militants operating in the militancy-hit tribal region. He said the new white colour drones were smaller in size. He said the new drones attracted attention of the tribesmen due to a more deafening sound compared to other drones.

Abdul Hakim said that the new plane has no tail unlike the old ones. “The old drones played havoc by carrying out dozens of missile strikes in the tribal region during the past few years. The new ones could cause greater damage,” felt.

A security official also confirmed that new US drones were flying over North Waziristan. Pleading anonymity, he said four new drones intruded into North Waziristan Tuesday and were said to be flying at a low altitude over the area till filing of this report.

North Waziristan has been the prime target of the US spy planes this year. The drones in 2010 have carried out over 20 missile attacks in various parts of North Waziristan, killing 200 people, mostly local people.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=230709

I think that's Northrop BATs .

 

[quellish]

I think that's Northrop BATs .

Could be, but it's not necessarily American.

 

[seruriermarshal]

I think that's Northrop BATs .

Could be, but it's not necessarily American.

But from the article :

A security official also confirmed that new US drones were flying over North Waziristan.

 

[Vpanoptes]

Quote:
PESHAWAR: The tribesmen and militants in North Waziristan were surprised Tuesday when they saw a new type of the US spy planes in the air which were smaller in size but had a more thundering sound.

“It appears the US is manufacturing new planes and testing the product on us first,” remarked a scared tribesman, Abdul Hakim Khan, in Miramshah, the principal town of North Waziristan tribal region.

Unquote


Maybe it's just context lost in the translation, but does this sound more than a little bit stilted and/or scripted? ??? For example, who is "Abdul Hakim Khan" (other than a "scared tribesman") and how would he know if the US is " manufacturing new planes and testing the product on us first".

 

[Stargazer]

I think that's Northrop BATs .

Could be, but it's not necessarily American.

France's most famous TV anchorman, Michel Drucker, spent the Christmas season with the French troops in Afghanistan and this was aired last night. In the commentaries, he states that the U.S. were using in Kandahar "drones built in Israel". Was he refering to the IAI Hunter types, or could it be that US companies such as Lockheed sub-contracts some of the work in the Middle East to get the drones ready and operational faster?

 

[Abraham Gubler]

France's most famous TV anchorman, Michel Drucker, spent the Christmas season with the French troops in Afghanistan and this was aired last night. In the commentaries, he states that the U.S. were using in Kandahar "drones built in Israel". Was he refering to the IAI Hunter types, or could it be that US companies such as Lockheed sub-contracts some of the work in the Middle East to get the drones ready and operational faster?

Both Canada and Australia are flying IAI Herons out of Kandahar. Maybe he didn't see the little kangaroos and maple leafs? Alos the USMC are in the south now and they still operate IAI Pioneers.