Iran: US ScanEagle drone 'captured over Gulf'

[Gerald]

The Iranian military says it has captured an unmanned US drone aircraft in its airspace over Gulf waters.

The Revolutionary Guards said they had brought down a ScanEagle - one of the smaller, less sophisticated drones employed by the Americans.

Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi told the Fars news agency that the drone had conducted several reconnaissance flights over the Gulf in recent days.

The US said it was looking into the reports.

The ScanEagle drone, which has a has a 10ft (3m) wingspan, is a low-cost, long-endurance aircraft built by Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing.

Rear Adm Fadavi said that "such drones are usually launched from large warships".

Fars news agency reported, without giving details.

Fars said the drone was captured "in the last few days". It is not clear how it was captured.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-20591336

A new bird down,

Note: 4 December 2012 Last updated at 09:29 GMT