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Russian Su-27 collided with a US MQ-9 Reaper over the Black Sea, forcing it down

[OTHER]

Mar 14, 2023 · General Atomics Aeronautical Systems · MQ-9 Reaper · Creech Air Force Base

All Incidents

Failure Mode

OTHER

Event Date

Mar 14, 2023

Primary Entity

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems

Robotic Platform

MQ-9 Reaper

Jurisdiction / Location

Creech Air Force Base

Audit Standard

Physical State Verified

Incident Abstract & Audit Findings

On Mar 14 2023 a Russian Su-27 dumped fuel on a US MQ-9 Reaper over international waters in the Black Sea and then struck its propeller during an intercept; operators ditched the damaged airframe (deliberately sunk to deep water, not recovered). No casualties. An adversary-action operational loss, not a system/safety fault (the single discrete, primary-DoD-sourced MQ-9 loss recorded; aggregate Houthi-theater losses are excluded as combat attrition).

System & Fleet Architecture

Operating Manufacturer

General Atomics Aeronautical SystemsView Manufacturer

Hardware Platform

MQ-9 ReaperView Spec

Operational Sectors

Physical AI / Robotics

Primary Sources & Evidentiary Filings

  • https://news.usni.org/2023/03/14/u-s-mq-9-drone-crashes-in-black-sea-after-encounter-with-russian-fighter

    https://news.usni.org/2023/03/14/u-s-mq-9-drone-crashes-in-black-sea-after-encounter-with-russian-fighter

  • https://www.eucom.mil/pressrelease/42314/russian-aircraft-collides-into-us-unmanned-system-in-international-waters

    https://www.eucom.mil/pressrelease/42314/russian-aircraft-collides-into-us-unmanned-system-in-international-waters

Related Incidents & Failure Precedents

6 records on file

Incident Context & FAQ

What happened in Russian Su-27 collided with a US MQ-9 Reaper over the Black Sea, forcing it down?

On Mar 14 2023 a Russian Su-27 dumped fuel on a US MQ-9 Reaper over international waters in the Black Sea and then struck its propeller during an intercept; operators ditched the damaged airframe (deliberately sunk to deep water, not recovered). No casualties. An adversary-action operational loss, not a system/safety fault (the single discrete, primary-DoD-sourced MQ-9 loss recorded; aggregate Houthi-theater losses are excluded as combat attrition).

When did this incident occur?

The incident is recorded as occurring on March 14, 2023 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.

What robot was involved in Russian Su-27 collided with a US MQ-9 Reaper over the Black Sea, forcing it down?

MQ-9 Reaper by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is the recorded robot involved in this incident at Creech Air Force Base.

Has anyone responded to Russian Su-27 collided with a US MQ-9 Reaper over the Black Sea, forcing it down?

No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.

What is the current status of Russian Su-27 collided with a US MQ-9 Reaper over the Black Sea, forcing it down?

This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.