Embassy Says It Was A Training Aircraft Lost In September

An unmanned aircraft belonging to the U.S. Navy has washed up on a beach in the Philippines, and the official line is that it was simply a training aircraft not used for combat or surveillance. However at least one official is skeptical of that assertion.

According to U.S. Embassy news release, the unarmed aerial target that was found off the coast of Patnanungan Islet on January 4, "is an expended BQM-74E Aerial Target that was launched during naval exercise Valiant Shield 2014 which took place September 15-23 in the waters off Guam. The aerial target does not carry weapons and is not used for surveillance.

"The BQM-74E Aerial Target is used by surface ships and aircraft during exercises to help train our sailors in a realistic environment that provides the best possible training. During the exercise, all aerial operations were conducted in international airspace or with appropriate coordination and approval in Guam airspace."

But The Blaze reports that Terry Ridon, a member of the Philippines legislature, said he is concerned that the U.S. military is keeping track of the region's oil assets using UAVs. “This issue should not pass unnoticed. This is our national sovereignty being trampled right under our noses. Foreign military operations in our seas and skies, even in the guise of support, should be condemned rather than tolerated,” Ridon said.

The aircraft was taken by boat to a police station after being found on the beach.

(Image from Twitter)

FMI: http://manila.usembassy.gov/