Despite the abrupt loss of control, the drone's touchdown occurred "in accordance with procedures in a secured uninhabited area," as per the initial official statement from the Polish command.
The incident unfolded late Monday evening when U.S. soldiers stationed at an unmanned aircraft base in Mirosławiec lost contact with the drone. According to unofficial sources close to RMF FM reporter Krzysztof Zasada, the drone circled the military airfield and adjacent regions before its programmed emergency systems guided it to a safe landing in a forested area a few kilometers from the base.
"First the machine taxied over Mirosławiec consuming fuel, then gradually lowering the ceiling it touched down in the forest. There was no explosion or fire - the Reaper was not armed," Zasada detailed.
The Military Police, in collaboration with American forces, has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The area around the base was secured, with traffic on several neighboring roads temporarily suspended.
Gen. Waldemar Skrzypczak, speaking to RMF FM, suggested that the drone's loss of signal and subsequent "escape" could be attributed to Russian operations aimed at disrupting signals in the West Pomeranian and southern Baltic region. "This drone has alternative systems. When it has a lost signal, it can switch to autonomous guidance and land on its own in the place previously indicated by the pilots," Skrzypczak explained.
He also raised concerns about broader signal interference issues in the region, affecting not only military but also civilian and commercial communications. This incident brings to light the challenges and potential risks posed by electronic interference in strategically sensitive areas.
The MQ9 Reaper, stationed in Poland for four years as part of an American unit, is known for its significant capabilities, including a 20-meter wingspan and the ability to carry a variety of weapons. "It has the qualities of a fighter plane," Skrzypczak remarked.
(jh)
Source: RMF24, PAP