Iran Shows U.S. Drone on TV:

[Nighthawk]

71
A photo released by the official website of Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Thursday shows Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, right, looking at what Iranian officials say is an American RQ-170 Sentinel high-altitude reconnaissance drone that crashed in Iran.

Seizing on its capture of a downed C.I.A. stealth drone as an intelligence and propaganda windfall, Iran displayed the first images of the aircraft on state television Thursday and lodged an official diplomatic protest over the incursion.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/09/wo...a-protest.html


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=chSD1cloUuQ

[Lee]

Well, it certainly looks like a Sentinel:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_RQ-170_Sentinel

It sounds like they intercepted the signal and took control, Oh dear!

[noot]

The thing looks fake to me. Perhaps a plant. Perhaps set to detonate the moment Darth Ahmadinejad's grinning face is pressed up against the porthole. Hahahaahaha

[Redbone]

Maybe its a Mini-Nuke or a Electronic Pulse Bomb that is set to go off as soon as it is tampered with.....a hidden door opens......out pops Achmed the Dead Terrorist......I KILL YOU!!

[lennyrebel]

Exactly a Trojan Horse -I was thinking same thing. They must have landed it cause it looks in perfect shape.

[Lee]

Trojan Horse? Now there's an idea! ;) (I did notice that the grill looked badly constructed, it wasn't very uniform.)

[noot]

Trojan Horse? Now there's an idea! ;) (I did notice that the grill looked badly constructed, it wasn't very uniform.)
That was the first thing that popped out at me as well. It looked like it was a recycled Iranian barbecue.

[noot]

...or at worst a spare part from a Serponian lawn mower.

[Redbone]

Well, it certainly looks like a Sentinel:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_RQ-170_Sentinel

It sounds like they intercepted the signal and took control, Oh dear!

That is really scary if true. If they can override one of our most sophisticated drones that easy, we are in a world of hurt! It is obvious from looking at it, that it did not crash. I read that once control is lost it will glide back to earth similiar to a feather or leaf. Okay maybe...but one has to ask, why did we loose control of it and why did we allow it to be captured still intact? Why didn't we blow it to hell before they got their hands on it? And what is keeping us from blowing it to hell now? Because it would be seen as a act of war? Give me a break!

[southerncross]

I'm wondering if this is just a provocation for war. Intentionally dropping the thing over the border.
It may not even have half the black project "doo-dads" to back engineer.

[noot]

Remember this story from 2 months ago? Could this be the key?

“We keep wiping it off, and it keeps coming back,” says a source familiar with the network infection, one of three that told Danger Room about the virus. “We think it’s benign. But we just don’t know.”
From Wired Danger Room 10/7/11


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Exclusive: Computer Virus Hits U.S. Drone Fleet

http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/dangerroom/2011/10/Predator-cockpit_s.jpg

0
inShare

By Noah Shachtman
Email Author
October 7, 2011 |
1:11 pm |
Categories: Drones

A computer virus has infected the cockpits of America’s Predator and Reaper drones, logging pilots’ every keystroke as they remotely fly missions over Afghanistan and other warzones.

The virus, first detected nearly two weeks ago by the military’s Host-Based Security System, has not prevented pilots at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada from flying their missions overseas. Nor have there been any confirmed incidents of classified information being lost or sent to an outside source. But the virus has resisted multiple efforts to remove it from Creech’s computers, network security specialists say. And the infection underscores the ongoing security risks in what has become the U.S. military’s most important weapons system.

“We keep wiping it off, and it keeps coming back,” says a source familiar with the network infection, one of three that told Danger Room about the virus. “We think it’s benign. But we just don’t know.”

Military network security specialists aren’t sure whether the virus and its so-called “keylogger” payload were introduced intentionally or by accident; it may be a common piece of malware that just happened to make its way into these sensitive networks. The specialists don’t know exactly how far the virus has spread. But they’re sure that the infection has hit both classified and unclassified machines at Creech. That raises the possibility, at least, that secret data may have been captured by the keylogger, and then transmitted over the public internet to someone outside the military chain of command.

Drones have become America’s tool of choice in both its conventional and shadow wars, allowing U.S. forces to attack targets and spy on its foes without risking American lives. Since President Obama assumed office, a fleet of approximately 30 CIA-directed drones have hit targets in Pakistan more than 230 times; all told, these drones have killed more than 2,000 suspected militants and civilians, according to the Washington Post. More than 150 additional Predator and Reaper drones, under U.S. Air Force control, watch over the fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. American military drones struck 92 times in Libya between mid-April and late August. And late last month, an American drone killed top terrorist Anwar al-Awlaki — part of an escalating unmanned air assault in the Horn of Africa and southern Arabian peninsula.

But despite their widespread use, the drone systems are known to have security flaws. Many Reapers and Predators don’t encrypt the video they transmit to American troops on the ground. In the summer of 2009, U.S. forces discovered “days and days and hours and hours” of the drone footage on the laptops of Iraqi insurgents. A $26 piece of software allowed the militants to capture the video.

The lion’s share of U.S. drone missions are flown by Air Force pilots stationed at Creech, a tiny outpost in the barren Nevada desert, 20 miles north of a state prison and adjacent to a one-story casino. In a nondescript building, down a largely unmarked hallway, is a series of rooms, each with a rack of servers and a “ground control station,” or GCS. There, a drone pilot and a sensor operator sit in their flight suits in front of a series of screens. In the pilot’s hand is the joystick, guiding the drone as it soars above Afghanistan, Iraq, or some other battlefield.

Some of the GCSs are classified secret, and used for conventional warzone surveillance duty. The GCSs handling more exotic operations are top secret. None of the remote cockpits are supposed to be connected to the public internet. Which means they are supposed to be largely immune to viruses and other network security threats.

But time and time again, the so-called “air gaps” between classified and public networks have been bridged, largely through the use of discs and removable drives. In late 2008, for example, the drives helped introduce the agent.btz worm to hundreds of thousands of Defense Department computers. The Pentagon is still disinfecting machines, three years later.

Use of the drives is now severely restricted throughout the military. But the base at Creech was one of the exceptions, until the virus hit. Predator and Reaper crews use removable hard drives to load map updates and transport mission videos from one computer to another. The virus is believed to have spread through these removable drives. Drone units at other Air Force bases worldwide have now been ordered to stop their use.

In the meantime, technicians at Creech are trying to get the virus off the GCS machines. It has not been easy. At first, they followed removal instructions posted on the website of the Kaspersky security firm. “But the virus kept coming back,” a source familiar with the infection says. Eventually, the technicians had to use a software tool called BCWipe to completely erase the GCS’ internal hard drives. “That meant rebuilding them from scratch” — a time-consuming effort.

The Air Force declined to comment directly on the virus. “We generally do not discuss specific vulnerabilities, threats, or responses to our computer networks, since that helps people looking to exploit or attack our systems to refine their approach,” says Lt. Col. Tadd Sholtis, a spokesman for Air Combat Command, which oversees the drones and all other Air Force tactical aircraft. “We invest a lot in protecting and monitoring our systems to counter threats and ensure security, which includes a comprehensive response to viruses, worms, and other malware we discover.”

However, insiders say that senior officers at Creech are being briefed daily on the virus.

“It’s getting a lot of attention,” the source says. “But no one’s panicking. Yet.”

Photo courtesy of Bryan William Joneshttp://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/10/virus-hits-drone-fleet/

[noot]

However, insiders say that senior officers at Creech are being briefed daily on the virus.

“It’s getting a lot of attention,” the source says. “But no one’s panicking. Yet.”I bet panic time has arrived.

[Garuda]

You might be on to something...

[nibs]

Chit's about to hit the fan and that person standing next to you in line - here in the U.S. that has a "feeling" something is wrong but does not realize we are on the verge of WW3. Well he/she well- goodbye.

Oddly enough, and if your so lucky "as to" wake up to it- "It" will be on the morning news! "It" has already begun. "It" is underway and "It" is the red carpet to the rest of what little life you have left. This is not iraq.

Ok, now having said that.... It's my understanding that the problem over there is and has been exceptionally studied and will be executed in such a manner that very few if any retaliatory strikes occur from the initiating party.

And just then- someone said, "EMP x3" 90 % kill ratio. or something like that...



On a footnote: I do like the "TROY" concept within this thread! Seems like there could be hope.

[noot]

The war between Iran and the British-American alliance began in 1953 with the CIA deconstruction of Mosaddegh. It was all about that vile fluid that we call 'oil.' The chickens will alway come home to roost.

[southerncross]

This may be a way to expedite the war after all. I really don't like this. Something just says - it aint normal, you know?
How many drones have we lost or crashed in the past? Anyone know?

[southerncross]

Ran across this - Food for thought.....

Amb. John Bolton warned that Iran in recent months purchased from Russian sources the advanced jamming and electronic warfare system known as Avtobaza, which he said could have been used to hack into the downed drone's system.

He said, "If Iran has from Russia or anybody else a capability to disrupt our communications with our drones, this could be a very significant development, very negative. It could also affect airplane and missile communications and guidance systems as well."


The later would play in to any attacks from Israel as well.

[noot]

Ran across this - Food for thought.....

Amb. John Bolton warned that Iran in recent months purchased from Russian sources the advanced jamming and electronic warfare system known as Avtobaza, which he said could have been used to hack into the downed drone's system.

He said, "If Iran has from Russia or anybody else a capability to disrupt our communications with our drones, this could be a very significant development, very negative. It could also affect airplane and missile communications and guidance systems as well."


The later would play in to any attacks from Israel as well.source, please.

[southerncross]

Apologies. This was in an interview on New York's WABC Radio I ran across today. Can't find the link now, sorry.

[noot]

Apologies. This was in an interview on New York's WABC Radio I ran across today. Can't find the link now, sorry.

OK. It sounds interesting. I'll try googling it. Thanks.

[murmur]

I'm sure the Iranians had help.......me thinks 人民解放军

After stuxnet....all bets are off

[Redbone]

Ran across this - Food for thought.....

Amb. John Bolton warned that Iran in recent months purchased from Russian sources the advanced jamming and electronic warfare system known as Avtobaza, which he said could have been used to hack into the downed drone's system.

He said, "If Iran has from Russia or anybody else a capability to disrupt our communications with our drones, this could be a very significant development, very negative. It could also affect airplane and missile communications and guidance systems as well."


The later would play in to any attacks from Israel as well.



Maybe the drone was sent in deliberately to test the jamming capabilities of the Iranians. Perhaps as one poster suggested, it was a stripped down version. But the question begs to be asked, if this is the case then why use one our most advanced drones? Why not one of the older Predators? Similair tactics were used in Vietnam and the Gulf War to get a bead on the Radar installations. Once this was done then Wild Weasels(F-4's) would go in and take out the installations. Me hears the distant sound of War Drums......an all too familiar beat!

[noot]

I have a further, seemingly obvious, question. Why didn't the CIA immediately launch a recovery or destroy mission to keep this high tech out of Iranian hands? Puzzling.

[Redbone]

I have a further, seemingly obvious, question. Why didn't the CIA immediately launch a recovery or destroy mission to keep this high tech out of Iranian hands? Puzzling.

I have read that several mission ready scenarios were presented to POTUS but he balked. He didn't want our response to be seen as a Act of War! Seems a little late to be worried about that once the drone is detected, captured and flaunted on Iranian TV for the world to see. Iranian officals are already claiming the incursion on their airspace was an Act of War. So why is POTUS worried about world perception? Viruses, mystery explosions, assassination plots and downed spy drones. Something is not adding up here and I believe there is more to the story. Are we already at War?

[southerncross]

Viruses, mystery explosions, assassination plots and downed spy drones. Something is not adding up here and I believe there is more to the story. Are we already at War?

Very good questions.

I have to remind myself however, that there are probably 2 or 3 generations of improved drones in the pipeline, but still, I hate to give anyone an advantage.
You are probably right on the already at war statement. The Palestinians are already lobbing missiles in to Israel although most are hitting farmland this week.
They are just surrogates for Iran anyway. But when this pop bottle blows though, it'll be a doozie.

[Redbone]

Okay Iran is in deep doodoo now. POTUS has asked them to "Please return our drone!" Ahmadinejad was seen shaking in his sandals as he exclaimed, "But I thought it was a early Christmas present?"

Conference call from Mahmoud to Hu and Putin, "I got this thing....and it's freaking golden!"

[spacemaverick]

A 36 second video of a drone landing in Iran. Is this fake or is it real. I don't know.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=g_wBeHNyYBc

[spacemaverick]

U.S. Official: Iran does Have Our CIA Reconnaissance RQ-170 Stealth UAV



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqupk12FGag&feature=player_detailpage

[southerncross]

Okay Iran is in deep doodoo now. POTUS has asked them to "Please return our drone!" Ahmadinejad was seen shaking in his sandals as he exclaimed, "But I thought it was a early Christmas present?"

Conference call from Mahmoud to Hu and Putin, "I got this thing....and it's freaking golden!"

Since when in hell has the US started observing the rules of "Emily Post At War" ?? PAHLEEEEZ, Mr. Terrorist, may we have it back ?
This country has dropped so far in terms of international respect I want to call myself French,....and that is low.
Unless there is a ulterior motive here, we have well and truly *#@^ up.

[noot]

Barack has never been particularly shy about shooting up bad guys across national borders whenever he feels it's in America's interests. Binny could have attested to that. Or Gaddafi or the guy in Yemen. There's has to be more to this story.

[Redbone]

Barack has never been particularly shy about shooting up bad guys across national borders whenever he feels it's in America's interests. Binny could have attested to that. Or Gaddafi or the guy in Yemen. There's has to be more to this story.

Exactly, only thing that makes sense to me is a deliberate act to test Iran's jamming capability. The only reason we would be testing Iran's jamming capability is in preparation for an attack......either by the USA, Israel or both! Fasten your seatbelts folks....the ride is about to get a bit choppy!!

[southerncross]

I think the CIA likely has more to do with this than the White House. Iran has always been their war.

[Redbone]

I think the CIA likely has more to do with this than the White House. Iran has always been their war.

Ask any Vet returning from Iraq or Afganistan who are we really fighting over there? Simple answer......Iran. They supply the money, weapons and training. It is only a matter of time before the camel poop hits the fan!

[southerncross]

Woah, Camel poop ! Now them's fightin' words Redbone !

So, do you think it'll be an air war, missiles etc, or do you think there will be boots on the ground?
I mean, you know Israel will be in it, and Russia will join (maybe China), so it may become a real stew pot.

[Meranti_Kepong]

This drone that Iranian government claims to have jammed it and "assist" the spycraft to land without any apparent damage would perhaps show the Iranian technology with the help of China technologists living in the Iranians' midst and helping them. This is my suspicion. Besides, the craft looks quite similar to the 1947 alien crash at Roswell. Does this drone rings a bell, fellas? In any case, now that the drone is in Iranian hands...they will, with the help from their Chinese friends, would begin learning the secrets - its strength as well as its vulnerability too!
--- by Meranti_Kepong

[Redbone]

Woah, Camel poop ! Now them's fightin' words Redbone !

So, do you think it'll be an air war, missiles etc, or do you think there will be boots on the ground?
I mean, you know Israel will be in it, and Russia will join (maybe China), so it may become a real stew pot.


The Apologizer-N-Chief was in my state yesterday welcoming home the troops at Ft Bragg. By ending the conflict in Iraq, he has freed up much needed military resources for Iran. I just hope that he will at least let them enjoy the Christmas Holidays with their families. The US Military is the most experienced, battle hardened force in the world today. Neither Russia nor China wants to go toe to toe. They will offer lip service and material help but I do not think they have the will to fight unless we were to attack them directly. Iran is no pushover and will not go down without a fight. One big difference this time around....Israel. Since the First Gulf War we have managed to keep Israel on the sidelines. Not this time, Israel will be a major player. Syria is in turmoil as is most of the Middle East, leaving Iran basically on thier own. So what we have is the USA, UK and Israel going against Iran, with Russia and China cheering for Iran on the sidelines.

It will start as a massive air offensive.....Shock and Awe on steroids. But sadly, American boots will eventually be on the ground and American Servicemen and Women will die. It is dangerous times we live in, but it is a path we seem destined to follow.

[Dragonfire]

Hey Redbone, didn't realize it, but we could be neighbors.:biggrin2:

[rdunk]

While I am not running for POTUS, If I were POTUS, and thus Commander in Chief, that drone would no longer be in existence, consequences or no consequences. We could take that sucker out in a New York minute, and I think we should. Of course, I think it should have been signaled to destruct anyway.!!

[Doc]

I think there is a good chance we sent it to test them and it may lack key features. In other words we gave them what we want them to have. Maybe to see what they do. Maybe to set them up for an attack on their nuke plants.

[calikid]

While I am not running for POTUS, If I were POTUS, and thus Commander in Chief, that drone would no longer be in existence, consequences or no consequences. We could take that sucker out in a New York minute, and I think we should. Of course, I think it should have been signaled to destruct anyway.!!

Yes, a self destruct sequence would only make sense.
Seems criminally negligent that such a scenario was not considered and prepared for by the US agencies involved.
Nothing like spending Zillions of dollars on R&D and handing the keys over to a foreign power.
Something as simple as an acid vial on a timer over key PCBs would have been nice.

[Redbone]

Hey Redbone, didn't realize it, but we could be neighbors.:biggrin2:

Hi Dragonfire,
Yeah I love this 'Ole North State'. A lotta history and a lotta beautiful scenery from Cape Hatteras to Mt. Mitchell.


Only thing that makes sense is the Drone is a plant. I cannot get my mind around anything else. Surly the CIA and our Military have not regressed to the point that some Iranian 'Script Kiddie' can hack a drone and land it :mad:

[nibs]

Who knows what will become of the whole drone thing.. Iran made for an interesting weekend and their missile testing in the straight of Hormuz.. http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-01-01/iran-missile-test/52318422/1



I thought this was an interesting vid when considering what to do with the Iranian problemo...



http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=4715&gclid=CMfvq-Xzr60CFYFx4AodPS8dsg

[Redbone]

Iran warns USS Carrier John C Stennis not to return to the Persian Gulf.

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/03/9910670-iran-warns-us-carrier-to-stay-out-of-persian-gulf


Just saber rattling or serious warning? It seems that Iran is purposely itching for a fight! Question is what will be America's response if a US Ship is fired on?

[noot]

Question is what will be America's response if a US Ship is fired on? The president would not look kindly on such an attack. The US response would be the annihilation of whatever capacity Iran has to wage war- and with their nuclear program as collateral damage.

[spacemaverick]

The president would not look kindly on such an attack. The US response would be the annihilation of whatever capacity Iran has to wage war- and with their nuclear program as collateral damage.


I am sure the US Military already has many areas already targeted and are ready.

[Redbone]

I am sure the US Military already has many areas already targeted and are ready.

It was annouced today that Iran is planning another round of Naval training maneuvers near the Strait of Hormuz. The US Military always has a contingency plan on the table so I am positive our Military will be ready to respond with deadly force. My question though, "Will this President have the gonads to pull the trigger?" It is an election year, his ratings are tanking and the only reason he took down Bin Laden is because the opportunity was handed to him on a silver platter. Does Obama have the willingness to do what has to be done? Personnally I think not, if worse case happens, I hope that I am wrong! Remember the USS Cole?

[Redbone]

Those dastardly Americans are at it again in the Gulf. I can just hear the "Death to America!" chants coming from Iran.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/06/world/meast/iran-us-navy-rescue/index.html

[nibs]

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

[calikid]

71
A photo released by the official website of Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Thursday shows Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, right, looking at what Iranian officials say is an American RQ-170 Sentinel high-altitude reconnaissance drone that crashed in Iran.

Seizing on its capture of a downed C.I.A. stealth drone as an intelligence and propaganda windfall, Iran displayed the first images of the aircraft on state television Thursday and lodged an official diplomatic protest over the incursion.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/09/wo...a-protest.html


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=chSD1cloUuQ



Looks like the Iranians have been busy. Looks good on the outside, have to wonder if it possesses any of the ELINT gathering capabilities of the original RQ-170 (captured back in 2011), on the insides?!?

Iran unveils new attack drone, says it was based on captured US aircraft
Iran's Revolutionary Guard unveiled a new attack drone which is similar to a U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle captured five years ago and is capable of carrying bombs, state media reported on Saturday.

The drone, called the "Saegheh," or Thunderbolt, was unveiled at an expo showcasing the latest achievements by the Revolutionary Guard.
Story Continues (http://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/10/01/iran-says-newest-attack-drone-modeled-on-captured-us-aircraft.html)


http://a57.foxnews.com/images.foxnews.com/content/fox-news/world/2016/10/01/iran-says-newest-attack-drone-modeled-on-captured-us-aircraft/_jcr_content/article-text/article-par-2/images/image.img.jpg/880/558/1475335575803.jpg?ve=1&tl=1
This photo released on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, shows a new attack drone ...

[M-Albion-3D]

I think this is a bit of a self inflicted slap in the face for Iranian quality control, putting up on display for all the world to see a huge "dent" in the wing...sure won't be considering buying an Iranian made automobile anytime soon.

Shoddy....

http://i1282.photobucket.com/albums/a528/marsevidence01/fox_zpsyp3p1vwz.jpg