Predator vs Mig 25, 0:1...

[rattler]

Old, but interesting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWUR3sgKUV8

On December 23, 2002, an Iraqi MiG-25 shot down a U.S. Air Force unmanned MQ-1 Predator drone, which was performing armed reconnaissance over Iraq.

They claim this is the first dog fight between manned a/c and UAV. The Predator drew the short one on this, due to his Sidewinders short range...

Rattler

[Princess Leia]

Part of the problem was it was a Stinger, not a Sidewinder.

[Dmmoore]

The Predator was not designed for air to air combat.

[Princess Leia]

The Predator was not designed for air to air combat.

Neither was the A-26, but it still scored victories.

[Dmmoore]

The Predator was not designed for air to air combat.

Neither was the A-26, but it still scored victories.

Very true BUT to score a victory some weapon capable of an air to air take down. The predator is currently configured for air to ground combat only. It could be configured for air to air but that limits its original mission and usefulness. If a number of them are shot down (air to air) things may change.

[Princess Leia]

The Predator was not designed for air to air combat.

Neither was the A-26, but it still scored victories.

Very true BUT to score a victory some weapon capable of an air to air take down. The predator is currently configured for air to ground combat only. It could be configured for air to air but that limits its original mission and usefulness. If a number of them are shot down (air to air) things may change.

Huh? Last time I checked, it was using the Stinger, which was designed to be launched from low speed or stationary targets, things like helicopters, vehicles, and as a MANPAD. One could argue it was a SAM and AAM. Looks liek Predator had this capability by the late 90's at least.

[Dmmoore]

The Predator (MQ-1) carries the Hell Fire anti-tank missile or laser guided bombs. I haven't found anything about the Stinger being available as a weapons system for the MQ-1.

The Predator B (MQ-9A) may have the Stinger installed. According to the following web site the Stinger was to be evaluated after 2003.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ ... t/mq-9.htm

Weapons planned the MQ-9A Predator B included the AGM-114 HELLFIRE II laser-guided air-to-surface missile to attack stationary ground targets. By the end of 2003 the Air Force intended to evaluate Raytheon's FIM-92 Stinger missile in the air-to-air role. By 2005 the Air Force planned to add the GBU-38/B 500 lb Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). The service then intended to integrate the 500 lb GBU-12/B laser-guided bomb with the air vehicle. Other direct-attack weapons such as Raytheon's AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile remained options, while air-to-air weapons like Raytheon's AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile could also be evaluated.

[rattler]

MQ-1B (as opposed to the RQ versions) has 2 AIM-92 Stinger, sorry for relaying it as "Sidewinders" in my original post, Cold War Freudian Slip.

http://www.uavforum.com/library/army_fmi3-04-155.pdf

Rattler

From a Goliath article FEB 10, 2003:

...the Predator can't defend itself from other planes and it's not built for a dogfight.

So, given those limitations, the Air Force has been working to equip the Predator with Stinger missiles capable of hitting airborne targets.

-snip-

"The possible value of Stinger on Predator would be for self-protection," Rogerson said. "Predator has neither the speed nor maneuverability to use this capability in an attack or 'dogfighting' role." She said the military has made no decision to give this capability to Predators on the production line.