Last December Iran said it had captured another, less sophisticated drone, but the US denied any such aircraft was missing.

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In the autumn it could not cope with a bulging order book and halted production lines for a month to complete a number of aircraft that were missing parts.

ECONOMIST: Bouncing Boeing

"But in these conditions, it's very problematic, " Parker said, adding that a timely deployment of search-and-rescue aircraft and ships gives the missing a chance.

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He had been an anti-aircraft gunner during the Battle of Stalingrad and went missing in action.

BBC: Remembering the horrors of Stalingrad

Engines, auxiliary-power units, landing gears and even passenger seats are missing from many of the 17 repossessed aircraft.

WSJ: India's Kingfisher Airlines Comes Under More Pressure From Banks

The fate of the three Canadian crew members aboard the aircraft had been unknown since the the flight went missing Wednesday.

CNN: 3 believed dead after plane wreckage found in Antarctica

Meanwhile, a Royal Air Force aircraft returning from a mission in Iraq has gone missing, British military officials in the region said Sunday.

CNN: Soldier detained in fatal attack on Army camp

But the three light-wing aircraft the Tigers used in eight attacks on military facilities are missing.

ECONOMIST: Not your usual bunch of thugs

The devices which can help the emergency services track down missing climbers and hillwalkers were previously restricted for use at sea and by aircraft crews.

BBC: Reverse polarity a risk to climbers, mountain body warns