USA Shoots Down its Own MQ-9 Reaper Drone near South Korea’s Coast

The U.S. Air Force has confirmed an incident involving an MQ-9 Reaper drone that was brought down over waters off South Korea’s west coast.

The incident occurred on Monday during a mission, according to Defence Blog.

Reports say the drone, assigned to the 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron permanently stationed on the peninsula, suffered a technical malfunction.

During the flight near Maldo-Ri Island, the aircraft lost communication with the ground control station, causing a failure in remote control.

The crew attempted to regain control, including by jettisoning fuel, but the problem could not be resolved. To prevent an uncontrolled crash or dangerous spread of debris, the U.S. military decided to carry out a controlled destruction of the aircraft.

The representatives of the 8th Air Wing of the U.S. Air Force commented to The Korea Times that the MQ-9 was operating according to safety procedures, descending in a designated ocean area to minimize the risks of collision or debris falling.

The military also confirmed that MQ-9 flights have not been suspended.