On August 4, reports from local sources indicated the downing of an American MQ-9 Reaper drone in Yemen’s Saada province. These reports, accompanied by images posted on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), claim to show the wreckage of the drone. However, BulgarianMilitary.com has not verified these claims independently, and U.S. authorities have not yet confirmed the incident.
Should these reports be verified, it would mark the eighth MQ-9 Reaper drone lost since October of the previous year amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict, and the second such loss in Saada province. The first of these losses occurred on November 8, 2023, when Yemen’s Houthi rebels reportedly downed an MQ-9 over the Red Sea. On January 18, 2024, the Islamic Resistance of Iraq claimed responsibility for another downing near Muqdadiya, Diyala province. Further incidents include a downing by Houthi rebels over Al Hudeida on February 19, 2024, and another MQ-9 lost in Saada province on April 25, 2024. Subsequent claims by the Houthi group include downings over Marib on May 17, Sana’a on May 24, and an MQ-9 crashing in Yemen on May 29, 2024.
The MQ-9 Reaper, developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, is an advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used primarily by the U.S. Air Force. It is known for its long endurance and high-altitude surveillance capabilities and serves as a more capable successor to the MQ-1 Predator. Each MQ-9 Reaper is valued around $16.9 million, including the aircraft, ground control stations, and associated equipment, though total program costs are significantly higher.
In terms of specifications, the MQ-9 Reaper features a wingspan of 66 feet (20 meters), a length of 36 feet (11 meters), and a height of 12.5 feet (3.8 meters). It is powered by a Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine, which delivers 900 shaft horsepower, enabling speeds of up to 300 mph (482 km/h) and operational altitudes of 50,000 feet (15,240 meters).
The UAV has a maximum takeoff weight of 10,500 pounds (4,760 kilograms) and a payload capacity of 3,750 pounds (1,700 kilograms). Its advanced avionics and sensors, including the Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS-B), provide comprehensive surveillance and targeting capabilities. The MQ-9 utilizes GPS and inertial navigation systems (INS) for precise positioning and autonomous operations, and it is equipped with secure data links for real-time communication.
Armed with AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs, and GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), the MQ-9 Reaper can engage a broad range of targets with precision. Its operational range is approximately 1,150 miles (1,850 kilometers), with an endurance of up to 27 hours, enabling extended missions for surveillance and strike operations.
