Iran Shoots Down RQ-4 BAMS-D $150m Drone near Persian Gulf

Well we already know that you see things through star-spangled-banner tinted glasses!

Why were the transponders turned off when this $150m beast was flying so close to Iranian airspace (even by the US's own admission)?

Can you please explain what is meant by constant attacks from israel?
and why iran is at risk from israel?
i am really confused by the whole situation to be honest

Well we already know that you see things through star-spangled-banner tinted glasses!

Why were the transponders turned off when this $150m beast was flying so close to Iranian airspace (even by the US's own admission)?

Meh, flying a US drone ANYWHERE near Iran is basically extreme provocation right now, total lack of surprise it was supposedly blasted.

Do they turn their transponders off and come within 5 nautical miles of UK airspace (by their own admission, Iran clearly stated the RQ-4 had violated Iranian airspace, which wouldn't be the first time a US drone had done so)?

Transponders are necessary to deconflict with civilian air traffic and military aircraft can operate without them. If the RQ-4 was flying well above any airliners the then it wouldn't need it on. A transponder broadcasting makes it easier for the aircraft to be targeted. That said, I haven't actually read anywhere that the transponder was off.

From what the BBC report says, the USN are enroute and to pick up the debris from international waters; Iran could be in a pickle if the US gets the debris and they get none as it'll confirm that the aircraft wasn't over their land territory as they're claimed, depending on winds and debris patterns caused by the shoot down anyway.

The drone had its transponders turned off, which is very dangerous
No it isn't
and breaches norms of flying in international airspace
No it doesn't
This suggests it had a covert military function and thus it was perfectly justified for Iran to eliminate the threat.
No it wasn't

Bold

This is not the best thread to ask such questions because you are asking questions that will beget political answers.

i dont mind political answers

I do - this thread is not to discuss such political issues which only lead to a flame war and de-railing. You can PM me if you have any questions or start your own thread with those questions for more range of opinions. Thanks.

Yes.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-31049952

That says 25 miles. If it's talking about nautical miles that's almost 50km. If not, that's 40km. Not quite the same as 5km (which, again, is what the US claimed, Iran disputes this). Unfortunately, it's almost impossible to verify how close exactly the drone got to Iranian airspace so all we have to rely on are US and Iranian sources.

The US, which famously said it didn't lose a RQ-170 drone... Until Iran showed it to the world then the US begged for Iran to return it. Even when this incident was first reported by Iranian news the US refuted it for 7 hours until they finally admitted that Iran had shot down a US RQ-4 BAMS-D. Healthy dose of scepticism seems warranted.

Given that modern commercial GPS can get a fix accurate to less than a metre, 5km is still at ****ing long way.

Neither side in this can be trusted fully. Stop acting like one is gospel.