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C.I.A. Said to Use Outsiders to Put Bombs on Drones (Blackwater helps run the CIA Predators)
New York Times ^ | August 20, 2009 | JAMES RISEN and MARK MAZZETTI

Posted on 08/23/2009 5:43:27 AM PDT by tlb

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To: DUMBGRUNT
That's what the manufacturer says.

General Atomics Predator

21 posted on 08/23/2009 7:17:55 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: ProtectOurFreedom
Good I am glad that they did that.

Blackwater is a company that all Americans should be proud of.

22 posted on 08/23/2009 7:27:03 AM PDT by troy McClure
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To: tlb

NY is on a witch hunt for Xe (Blackwater).


23 posted on 08/23/2009 7:46:31 AM PDT by dervish (I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself)
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To: DUMBGRUNT

“load Hellfire missiles and 500-pound laser-guided bombs on remotely piloted Predator aircraft
The payload for a Predator IS 450 POUNDS?”

I think they may be thinking “Predator family,” of which the MQ-9 REAPER is one member. Reaper’s payload being far, far greater.


24 posted on 08/23/2009 7:55:21 AM PDT by RavenATB
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To: tlb
I'm amused at the Times’ take on who these Blackwater employees are. These guys didn't exactly step away from a “greeter” job at Wal-Mart and suddenly appear on the battlefield.
25 posted on 08/23/2009 7:58:01 AM PDT by RavenATB
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To: RavenATB

I’ve been a BW contractor 3+ years. I like the company, job , and the people. Best company I’ve ever worked for.


26 posted on 08/23/2009 9:14:29 AM PDT by RGRX
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To: tlb
I believe Blackwater is almost entirely comprised of former military personnel who are contracted by the company and paid very well for their efforts.
27 posted on 08/23/2009 9:15:33 AM PDT by R_Kangel (`.`)
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To: DUMBGRUNT
That's why they carry Hellfires, although I do think that 450 lbs is the internal/optics payload. However: (from your link)

The MQ-9 Reaper has an operational ceiling of 50,000ft, a maximum internal payload of 800lb and external payload over 3,000lb. It can carry up to four Hellfire II anti-armour missiles and two laser-guided bombs (GBU-12 or EGBU-12) and 500lb GBU-38 JDAM (joint direct attack munition). In May 2008, a USAF Reaper successfully test dropped four Raytheon GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II 500lb bombs, which have laser and GPS guidance.

The article, being from the Slimes, probably didn't distiguish between the Predator (MQ-1) and the Reaper(MQ-9).

MQ-9 Reaper

MQ-1 Predator

28 posted on 08/23/2009 11:57:43 AM PDT by El Gato ("The Second Amendment is the RESET button of the United States Constitution." -- Doug McKay)
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To: tlb

This is to remind the CIA and NYT to SHUT UP!!!! SHUT UP!!!! SHUT UP!!!!


29 posted on 08/23/2009 12:00:06 PM PDT by NordP (If big government were a martini - BHO is just... the vermouth. (Grover Norquist, A4P 8/15))
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