On September 19, al-Qaeda-affiliated Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahideen shared photos of a U.S. unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that crashed in Somalia’s Lower Shabelle region.
The UAV, identified as a Boeing Insitu ScanEagle 2, crashed of unknown causes near Ballidogle Airport, around 90km southwest of the country’s capital, Mogadishu. The UAV’s wreckage was retrieved by al-Shabaab terrorists.
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The ScanEagle 2, which entered service with the U.S. military in 2014, has a top speed of 148 km/h and an endurance of more than 16 hours.
The UAV, which is mainly used for reconnaissance missions, is equipped a day and night capable sensor, a fully digital video system and an advanced navigation system.
Laster week, al-Shabaab fighters shot down a small quadcopter drone near Ballidogle Airport. The drone was allegedly being used to guard a U.S. base in the airport.
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A recent report by the New York Times revealed that US Africa Command is seeking authorization to expand its drone war against Somali terrorists. The request came after al-Shabaab attack on a Kenyan air base housing U.S. aircraft in January.
