Houthi Fighters Shoot Down Eighth U.S. Military MQ-9 Reaper Drone
The MQ-9 Reaper drone, manufactured by the U.S. company General Atomics and valued at an estimated US$30 million (RM135 million), was reportedly shot down by a missile in Yemen’s Marib region.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Yemen’s Houthi armed group has claimed that its fighters shot down another MQ-9 Reaper drone, belonging to the United States military, accusing it of engaging in activities that threaten the security of the Arab nation.
The MQ-9 Reaper drone, manufactured by the U.S. company General Atomics and valued at an estimated US$30 million (RM135 million), was reportedly shot down by a missile in Yemen’s Marib region.
This marks the eighth U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone successfully brought down by armed groups since the outbreak of the Israel-Palestine conflict on October 7 last year.
“A U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone was shot down while conducting hostile operations in Marib airspace. This is the eighth MQ-9 Reaper drone to be downed in support of the Palestinian struggle in Gaza,” said Houthi spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree.
The U.S. military utilizes the MQ-9 Reaper drones, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), to safeguard Yemen’s coastal waters for the safe passage of commercial vessels.
This advanced drone is capable of flying non-stop for 27 hours at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet, carrying payloads exceeding 1.7 tons, including highly sensitive sensors and electronics.
Primarily used for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, the MQ-9 Reaper can also be armed with Hellfire missiles, GBU-12 Paveway II, and GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) for combat operations.
According to 2021 data, the U.S. military, particularly the U.S. Air Force (USAF), operates more than 300 MQ-9 Reaper drones, which were first introduced in 2007. The drone is expected to remain in service until 2035.
The Houthi forces are believed to have employed the advanced “Saqr 358” missile, a dual-mode system combining kamikaze drone and anti-aircraft missile capabilities.
The “Saqr 358,” developed by Iran, has been effectively used by Iran’s proxies in conflict zones across the Middle East, including the Houthis in Yemen and other armed groups in Iraq, and most recently by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.
Since 2020, the Houthis have released videos showcasing the “Saqr 358” being used as an anti-aircraft missile to destroy fighter jets, helicopters, and drones.
While little is known about its technical specifications, the dual-mode “Saqr 358” missile is nearly 3 meters long with a diameter of 152mm. It weighs 50kg and uses a small turbojet engine, allowing it to travel distances between 10km and 100km.
The missile, equipped with a 10kg high-fragmentation warhead, does not require an advanced launch system and can be easily relocated between sites.
The “Saqr 358” missile has also been featured in several military parades by Iran’s armed forces. — DSA
