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| A U.S. Air Force version of the MQM-107 Streaker sub-scale aerial target drone flies over Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., in April 2004. Reports say North Korea is developing a UAV using U.S. Army MQM-170E Streakers imported from a Middle East nation, believed to be Syria. (U.S. Air Force) |
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea is developing unmanned aerial
aircraft using U.S. target drones imported from the Middle East, according to a
Feb. 5 report.
The North Korea drones are based on Raytheon’s MQM-107D Streaker
target drones, which are used by the U.S. Army, and imported from a Middle East
nation believed to be Syria, Yonhap news agency reported.
It cited an anonymous Seoul military official, adding the
communist state would likely deploy them, once completed, near the tense
maritime border with the South on the Yellow Sea.
The U.S. drone, which flies at 40,000 feet (12,000 meters) at a
maximum speed of 575 miles (920 kilometers) per hour, is commonly used for
testing missiles.
The North has conducted several tests by mounting high
explosives on the imported drones but has not been able to produce a new weapon
yet, a source quoted by Yonhap said.
The disputed sea border off the west coast was the scene of
deadly naval clashes in 1999, 2002 and 2009. The North also shelled a frontier
island in a November 2010 attack that left four South Koreans dead.
Courtesy: Defense News
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