China steals U.S. drone
 

I read this as state sponsored piracy. What are the odds of this happening again after January 20, 2017?

http://cnn.it/2hPhPTX

US Defense official: Chinese warship stole US underwater drone

(CNN)A US oceanographic vessel Thursday had its underwater drone stolen by a Chinese warship literally right in front of the eyes of the American crew, a US defense official told CNN Friday.

In the latest encounter in international waters in the South China Sea region, the USNS Bowditch was sailing about 100 miles off the port at Subic Bay when the incident occurred, according to the official.

Bowditch had stopped in the water to pick up two underwater drones. At that point a Chinese naval ship that had been shadowing the Bowditch put a small boat into the water. That small boat came up alongside and the Chinese crew took one of the drones.

The US got no answer from the Chinese on the radio when it said the drone was American property, the official said.

As they turned away, the Chinese did come up on the radio and indicated they were returning to their own operations.

US oceanographic research vessels are often followed in the water under the assumption they are spying. In this case, however, the drone was simply measuring ocean conditions, the official said.

The Pentagon has not officially commented on the incident.

Although it's unclear what the motivation was for the Chinese, the seizing of the drone comes on the heels of other provocative incidents that have happened since President-elect Donald Trump received a congratulatory call with Taiwan's President, a violation of the US's agreement with China's "One China policy". China publicly voiced their disapproval of that incident and contacted the White House at the time.

Another opportunity for US foreign policy to fail miserably. In that theater one wonders why the hell Bowditch had no escort or embarked crew who could shoot the bastards and sink their little boat. Chaps the ass to see this crap.

Why didn't the drone have a self destruct button??

Or did it,, and the ROE said only it no fish would be hurt??

This is just how countries communicate. Words are just words, actions matter. Trump called Taiwans president on purpose, to send a specific message. They are talking back. It's just how stuff goes.

Well! The US responded with STRONG WORDS from John Kerry's State Department.

"The United States issued the formal demarche, as such protests are known, through diplomatic channels and included a demand that China immediately return the drone. The Chinese acknowledged it but have not responded, officials said."

It was probably Russians disguised as Chinese. After all, the Russians are responsible for all of the evil things happening to the United States.

Maybe they could install one of those TacLight strobe features to disorient the intruders, the Chinese (or is it the Romulans). That is the Final Option in the Obama/Kerry ROE, isn't it? Strobe TacLight? NCA authorization required? Valerie Jarrett sends?

Our foreign policy looks like Wal-Marts gift exchange policy...

"...political power grows out of the sonar of a missing drone."

They'll give it back when they're done reverse engineering it.:mad:

The lame duck has placed the incoming in a difficult spot with both China and Russia just before he takes office...mix in a little ISIS, illegal immigration and Iran and the appointment of retired generals begins to make even more sense. A lot of tricky navigation ahead.

While I see the value of the Chinese sending a political message, at the end of the day armed men took property from unarmed men.

I see a lot of armed men sailing the South Pacific in the future, with orders to protect their property.

China may have out ran their headlights on this one. You can only bluff so many times.

Then again, it's not like they illegally seized Navy personnel and used them for propaganda tools. I mean, that's crazy right??

:confused::confused::confused:

We are going to escalate! James Taylor will sing" You don't got a Friend" Take that you heathens!:D

Intercepting this drone was akin to stealing a weather balloon.
It's not one of Those drones you care about that much.

Unless you have info to add,,,,

A sub drone that probably has non-active sonar acoustic listening technology is something to care about,, a lot..


:munchin