Iraq Reportedly Testing Pilotless Jet as Anthrax Delivery System

A U.S. intelligence official confirmed Wednesday that Iraq is attempting to develop an unmanned aircraft that could be used to deliver biological weapons on targets as far away as Israel. The pilotless aircraft program, elements of which have been previously reported, was the focus of a report Wednesday on “CBS Evening News.”

The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Iraq is trying to convert an L-29 trainer jet into an unmanned delivery system for the biological agent anthrax. The jet would have a range of about 500 miles, long enough to reach targets in Israel as well as most of the U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf.

But one version of the aircraft recently crashed in a test flight, according to the televised report, and Iraq has not yet developed a container to carry the biological agent. Iraq is required by United Nations resolutions to destroy its long-range missiles, but there is no ban against an unmanned aircraft.