The Drive:

Today’s incident between a Russian Su-27 Flanker and a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper that saw the latter crash into the Black Sea after the jet collided with its propeller — read our full report here — has people questioning the defenselessness of the Reaper to nearby aerial threats. In particular, people want to know why they can’t be armed to protect themselves. The answer to that question may be surprising to some — they can!

A quick history lesson is needed as well as a reminder about a far more recent revelation.

The Q-9 Reaper’s progenitor, the Q-1 Predator, an aircraft that blazed the trail to the unmanned revolution we are still in the depths of today, was less capable than its successor in every way. But, two decades ago, when faced with a menacing aerial threat, the little Predator quickly went from a defenseless lamb to a wolf that could bite back.

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