Drone fighter jet crashes and explodes in Florida [Video]

U.S. 98 is closed after an unmanned Air Force aircraft crashed and exploded at Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida, sending up a plume of black smoke.

BREAKING: Report of Drone has crashed along US 98 near Tyndall AFB in Florida. http://t.co/TW3ak1l1Ky - @WJHG_TV pic.twitter.com/xAnrO8DJKo

— NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) July 17, 2013

The drone, part of the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group, crashed on the runway during takeoff Wednesday morning. It is the second drone crash at Tyndall in the last 30 days.

Local police have closed Highway 98 and anticipate it being closed for up to 24 hours.

"This closure is being done strictly as a precautionary measure due to fires resulting from the crash and a small self-destruct charge carried on board the drone," said a news release put out by military officials.

The drone has a self-destruct charge that is used to destroy it if it goes off of its pre-approved flight plan. Because the self-destruct charge has not been activated, crews are waiting for 24 hours to begin clearing the wreckage. After 24 hours, the battery will die, and authorities will be able to reopen Highway 98.

The road is closed from Panama City to Mexico Beach, Fla.