The confrontation between a Russian Sukhoi Su-27 Flanker fighter jet and a US MQ-9 Reaper drone received internet attention last week, after the US aircraft was shot down in international airspace.
Video of USAF Drone Downed by Russian Su-27 Fighter Released
However, new images have emerged showing a Russian fighter jet using the same tactic as before to shoot down another drone, this time a Turkish Bayraktar TB2 operated by the Ukrainian forces.
The image, taken from the drone itself, shows it at 6,000 meters altitude and traveling at 76 knots (146 km/h) when a Russian fighter jet passes very close to it, first discharging fuel. Shortly after, the drone pilot orders a descending spiral evasive maneuver, eluding the Russian fighter jet.
According to our associated media AEROIN, the interception zone has not been revealed yet, but due to the large amount of water on the bottom, it is assumed to be over the Caspian Sea again.
#Ukraine: Everyone heard about the recent MQ-9 incident- but we received a recent video that shows a Russian fighter unsuccessfully attempting to take down a much lighter Bayraktar TB-2 over the Black Sea near the coast of Crimea using jet wash in a similar manner. pic.twitter.com/YFAxqaaLz9
— ???????? Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) March 19, 2023
The Bayraktar TB2 is a Turkish-made unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) capable of autonomous or remotely controlled flight operations. It was developed by Baykar mainly for the Turkish Air Force (THK). It is the size of a small airplane, carries cameras on board and can be armed with laser-guided bombs.
Turkey sells drones to Ethiopia and Morocco
Development of the TB2 began in 2007 and it was selected by the Turkish military in 2014. During this time, it began to gain prominence in counterinsurgency operations against the People’s Defense Units and militants of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party in northern Iraq and Syria.
On March 14, 2023, a Russian Su-27 fighter jet collided with the propeller of a MQ-9 Reaper drone that was flying over the Black Sea. The collision forced the drone to be shot down in international waters and caused its loss. The US military strongly condemned the incident.
