Tehran, Iran, August 29
By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:
A radar-evading US spy drone had to change its course of flight when warned by Iranian air defense before entering the Islamic Republic airspace.
The drone was approaching the Iranian territory from Afghanistan and probably meant to enter Iran’s airspace, Tasnim news agency reported August 29.
It had taken off from Kandahar, Afghanistan and was 20 miles away from Iran when spotted, the report adds.
The incident took place on the same day as Iran activated its advanced "Nazir" radar.
The new radar can detect small objects, as well as anti-radar aircrafts, ballistic and cruise missiles, the Iranian Air Force announced, adding it is capable to track U-2 aircrafts and UAVs such as MQ-1 and RQ-4.
This is not the first time Iran warns or captures US drones. In December of 2012, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) captured a US ScanEagle drone over the Persian Gulf waters upon its intrusion into the Iranian airspace.
In December 2011, Iran downed a US RQ-170 Sentinel stealth aircraft (shown) with minimal damage.
In the same month the previous year, Iran downed a US RQ-170 Sentinel stealth aircraft with minimal damage. The drone was flying over the Iranian city of Kashmar, near the Afghan border, when it was brought down.