In 2005, the U.S. Marines, and other NATO members, launched what they called a MiG-23 Bandit, in Egypt. It was built as a target drone for man-portable Stinger anti-aircraft missile training.
According to the info that came with these pics, five MiG-23 Bandits were launched, and all five were shot down during Exercise Bright Star.
According to the information that was issued with these pics, the MiG-23 Bandits were actually made and operated by a U.S. military contractor; Advanced Composite Manufacturing. There are several companies and ‘research’ organizations that use the words Advanced Composite Manufacturing in their names. There is also a company calling itself ACM/Advanced Composite Manufacturing. None of them have any info about the MiG-23 Bandit.
Video, MiG-23 Bandit launch & shoot-down:
A ‘BAT’ being prepped for duty on Fort Campbell, Kentucky. U.S. Army photo by Marshall W. Woods, 20FEB2002.
The U.S. Army calls it the BAT (Ballistic Aerial Target).
USMC photo by Lance Corporal Constantine Sigelakis, 24AUG1999.
In August 1999, the U.S. Army used a MiG-23 BAT to demonstrate its vehicle mounted Stinger missile system, known as Avenger, on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, in North Carolina.
USMC photo by Sergeant A. D. Gruart, March 1986.
This photo is dated March 1986. It shows a MiG-23/27 ‘BAT/Bandit’ drone along with two Mi-24 Hind drones, on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia.
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