Air Combat Command announced Monday that operator error caused the loss of an MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft flying out of Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, on Oct. 3, 2009. ACC’s accident investigation board determined that “channelized attention”—the lack of comprehensive situational awareness—by two Predator operators during the handover of the aircraft’s control between the pilot in the war theater and the pilot back in the US led to the MQ-1 crashing in rugged Afghan mountainous terrain and being destroyed on impact. The Predator was carrying one Hellfire missile. The total loss is valued at approximately $3.8 million, according to ACC. (Langley release) (AIB executive summary)
Expanded production of the B-21 bomber can be accomplished at Northrop Grumman's existing Palmdale, Calif., facilities, the Air Force said. It also said test aircraft will be so simular to the production version that early examples could be used in combat if called for.