US Spy drone captured (Page 2)

I think that is just another example of Dick Cheney being Dick Cheney. It's been almost 9 years since we went to outright war with another country; I think he's having withdrawals.

I think the problem here is that the drone was stealth designed with radar-absorbing skin.  Just allowing the Iranians to examine the pieces of the wreckage (or give it to China to examine) could potentially compromise our current stealth technology.  Make it easier to develop missiles that can track and knock down our stealth aircraft.  Even if the drone nose-dived in at 400 knots, I don't believe it's the design or data onboard that's the big risk, but rather the actual stealth materials, electronics and flight-control systems that would be most valuable to an "enemy".

I'm surprised that the drone didn't have a "dead-man" self-destruct; lose radio contact with the ground for a period of time, say 30 seconds, and it automatically self-destructs.  This wouldn't require a self-destruct command to be issued and radioed to the drone.  But of course, this was probably overruled as mistakes could be very expensive.  I'm assuming these things cost $10 million plus each.

I can understand why it would not have an explosive charge, that is the stuff of movies. But at the minimum you would think they would be able to upload a predetermined flight plan in case of the loss of radio contact exceeds some set period. And a backup to automatically dump/wipe all data and fry the electronics with a power spike. Or maybe it did and we aren't privy to that knowledge.

It very well could have.  All of the news stories I saw just said that Iran was in possession of the drone and that they suspected it was fairly intact.  The data and electronics could be fried.  But I'm sure the Pentagon is still freaking over losing the stealth airframe.  I heard a rumor that in both Gulf Wars, the air force never used the B2 stealth bomber for fear of losing one in combat.  They do cost $1 billion each.  They used F-117's but no B2's.

Here's a truly WILD conspiracy theory...  The military purposely crashed the drone so they could claim that our current stealth technology has been obtained by Iran and China...  Thereby making their argument for increased funding for the next generation of stealth so we can stay ahead of the rest of the world.  Crazy, eh?

So why not release a photo to show that Iran is up to some nonsense? Unfortunately I tend to believe the thing they have is real.

Actually they have used B2's in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq part deux. Up until recently For every mission , they were flown out of Whitman AFB in Missouri. The trip was over 17 hours they delivered their payload and flew home.  During the "Opening scene" in Iraqi freedom, the B2's were ordered to have radio silence and on the way over a United Airlines pilot called out to them over the air wishing them good luck.

I don't think you know what you're talking about. Every military vehicle I have ever been on has a self destruct system: i.e. Starship Enterprise (NCC 1701 ), BattleStar Galactica, Millenium Falcon and Space Ball One.  

Heck, even my computer has a self-destruct button on the keyboard (Its the one on the left next to the Ctrl and Alt buttons - it has a little window symbol on it. ***Apple users will be very confused here***)

They did use B2's in Kosovo, Iraq, Afganistan and Libya.  Although they used to be only flown from Missouri due to security concerns, they now occasionally operate from Diego Garcia, Guam and a couple other locations.

"Thank you for pressing the self destruct button."

Wonder what he thinks of Eisenhower's administration (a Republican, with Nixon as his VP) - allowing Gary Powers to crash his U-2 over the Soviet Union?

As I said, rumor.  If you're correct, rumor debunked and I stand corrected.

BTW - I just read that B2s have a payload of 20 tons.  Up to 80 500-pounders.  I didn't know they had a bay that big.  That's actually quite a lot.  Certainly not the 35 tons or 140 bombs as a gigantic B-52, but at over half the capacity...  I didn't know they were that big.  I've never seen one in person.  (I know...  I know...  Stealth!)

I saw one at MacDill AFB. Pretty impressive. Even otherworldly looking.

It's not a rumor at all and part of the prize of having a 2.22 billion dollar toy, not 1 million, check your references there big guy, is to have fun with and complete missions.  They absolutely were in combat, and continually run exercises all the time.  Even more so, we did have 21 in operation, but we now have 20 because one was crashed in Guam.  Can't comment on that one.  Made me cringe.  Nevertheless, beyond popular belief they are ALL not at Whiteman AFB. 

Indeed they are a wonder to see, they are even more of a wonder to be inside, not to mention to even be in the simulator.  The bay you speak of, if you only saw it, standing under it, you could truly marvel at the ridiculous amounts of munitions that could be dropped on an awaiting enemy.  It would ruin their year.  You should see them fly, if you can ever be there, check to see when they have the next wings over Whiteman, it will be there of course along with many other planes.  You got any other questions about it, one's I can actually answer?