Houthi Rebels Claim to Destroy US MQ-9 Reaper Combat Drone in Yemen

Kazi Abul Monsur,Journalist#

The Houthi group in Yemen has claimed that their military wing destroyed a powerful American-made MQ-9 Reaper (Predator-B) combat drone in the air on Wednesday. In a statement, the Houthi spokesperson said their air defense system successfully intercepted and shot down the drone. However, they did not disclose details about where and how the drone was destroyed.

The MQ-9 Reaper is an advanced combat drone built for intelligence operations, patrols, and precision strikes. It can stay in the air for long durations and is equipped with high-powered sensors, laser-guided missiles, and bombs. As of now, there has been no reaction from the United States or any other international entity regarding this claim. If proven true, it would demonstrate significant military capability on the part of the Houthi group. The Houthis have previously claimed to have shot down American drones and other military equipment, but the veracity of these claims has often been questioned. This incident may mark a new phase in the Yemen conflict, further complicating the involvement of regional and international powers.

The Houthis have also claimed to have destroyed another MQ-9 Reaper combat drone within 72 hours, making this the second such incident they have reported in that timeframe. According to international market estimates, each MQ-9 Reaper drone could cost approximately $30 million to $35 million, depending on the package.

While no conclusive reports have surfaced in U.S. media about the destruction of an MQ-9 Reaper drone, the Houthi military wing stated that the drone was intercepted with a missile over Yemen’s Al-Bayda province during a covert mission.

The MQ-9 Reaper is considered one of the most powerful and dedicated combat drones globally. It is manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GAAS) in the United States and entered service in 2007. Designed for precision targeting, it is highly effective even against individual targets.

With a payload capacity of 1,700 kilograms, the MQ-9 Reaper has a maximum range of 1,900 kilometers and a top speed of approximately 300 kilometers per hour. It can operate combat missions for up to 27 hours at a stretch in full payload condition and can ascend to altitudes of up to 25,000 feet.

The drone is operated by two ground-based operators and measures 11 meters in length, with a wingspan of 20 meters and a height of 3.81 meters. When empty, it weighs 2,223 kilograms, with a maximum takeoff weight of 4,760 kilograms and a fuel capacity of 1,800 kilograms. Powering the aircraft is a Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop diesel-electric engine.

To identify targets on land or sea, the drone is equipped with advanced avionics systems like the AN/DAS-1 MTS-B multi-spectral targeting system and the AN/APY-8 Lynx II radar. Additionally, for maritime missions, it features a SeaVue marine search radar (Sea Guardian variant) developed by Raytheon.

The drone has seven hardpoints that can carry up to 1,700 kilograms of light missiles and other armaments. Its primary weapon is the AGM-114 Hellfire missile, of which it can carry up to 16 at a time. Based on mission requirements, it can also be equipped with other guided and unguided weapons. The Hellfire missile, a lightweight, short-range weapon, was the world’s first 100% successful laser-guided missile, entering service in 1974.

As of December 2024, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has reportedly manufactured between 450 and 500 MQ-9 Reaper combat drones, most of which are operated by the U.S. military. In addition to the United States, countries like Japan, France, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Spain, Poland, and India use limited numbers of various MQ-9 Reaper series drones.##Sources: Al Jazeera, Wikipedia, Xinhua