This U.S. Army file photo of the RQ-7 Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) is a similar model to an unmanned aircraft that crash landed at Fort Drum's Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield on Wednesday, March 6, 2022. (Courtesy of the U.S. Army)

Fort Drum, N.Y. — An unmanned military drone crashed Wednesday morning at a Fort Drum airfield in Jefferson County, officials said.

At about 9:38 a.m., the RQ-7 Shadow Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) crashed shortly after takeoff at the Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield, according to a news release issued by Fort Drum.

The RQ-7 Shadow has a range of up to 77 miles, has a wingspan of about 20 feet and a payload capacity of about 60 pounds, according to the U.S. Army. It can stay airborne for up to nine hours from takeoff to landing.

The drone that crashed Wednesday was assigned to the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), said Julie Halpin, a Fort Drum spokeswoman.

Fort Drum Emergency Services stationed at the airfield responded to the crash site and extinguished the small aircraft that was in flames, Halpin said in the release.

No injuries or damage to any facilities were reported after the crash, she said.

The aircraft was not carrying any weapons, ammunition or related equipment, Halpin said.

The Fort Drum Environmental Compliance team completed required testing and removed soil contaminated by leaked fuel.

The UAS was a total loss, Halpin said. The cause of the crash is still being investigated, she said.

The drone cost $632,000 in 2020, according to federal budget documents.

The drone is much smaller than the MQ-9 Reaper drones that the New York Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing fly out of the Syracuse Hancock International Airport. A Reaper drone crashed at the airport in June 2020.

Related article: A Reaper drone crashed at Syracuse’s airport. Why wasn’t the public told?

An unmanned military drone crash landed at Fort Drum's Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield on Wednesday, March 6, 2022. (Courtesy of Fort Drum)

Staff writer James McClendon covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? Reach him at 914-204-2815 or jmcclendon@syracuse.com.

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