(VIDEO) Another US$30 Million-Worth MQ-9 Reaper Drone Shot Down, Fourth in Recent Months

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The United States military has lost another MQ-9 Reaper drone, estimated to be worth $30 million, off the coast of Yemen after it was reportedly shot down by the Houthi armed group.

This marks the fourth American MQ-9 Reaper drone downed by the Houthis and other armed group in Iraq in recent months.

The first drone was shot down last November, and another followed in February.

U.S. military officials confirmed the loss of another MQ-9 Reaper today and stated that the incident is under investigation, though they did not rule out the possibility that it was shot down.

The U.S. uses the MQ-9 Reaper, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GASI), to ensure the safety of the waters off the Yemeni coast for commercial shipping.

The advanced drone can fly for 27 hours non-stop, reach altitudes up to 50,000 feet, and carry over 1.7 tons of payload, including sensitive sensor and electronic systems.

Primarily used for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, the MQ-9 Reaper can also be equipped with “Hellfire” missiles, GBU-12 Paveway II, and GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) for strike missions.

According to 2021 data, the U.S. military, particularly the U.S. Air Force, operates more than 300 MQ-9 Reapers, first introduced in 2007, with plans to retire them by 2035.

 Since the conflict between Palestine and Israel erupted over six months ago, the Houthis have threatened and attacked over 100 commercial vessels passing through nearby waters, primarily in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

On Thursday, Houthis also attacked a ship traveling through the Gulf of Aden, officials said.

 

The attack came after the U.S. military said early Thursday that an allied warship shot down a Houthi missile targeting a vessel the day before near the same area.

The Houthis also claimed responsibility for Wednesday’s assault, which comes after a period of relatively few rebel attacks on shipping in the region over Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Houthi missile attacks on commercial ships have caused billions of dollars in losses to the global shipping industry and affected major global trade routes.

The Houthi armed group claims it successfully shot down the MQ-9 “Reaper” off the coast of Hodeidah, Yemen.

 

Houthi spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree stated that their forces shot down the drone, valued between $30 million to $40 million, using a “suitable” missile as the U.S. asset was conducting a “malicious” mission on behalf of Israel against Yemen.

The group has also released a video of the drone being shot down and displayed debris of the U.S. drone scattered along the coastal area to the media. — DSA