The series of downing MQ-9 Reaper fighter spy drones dates back six years, specifically to October 1, 2017, when the Yemeni Air Defenses shot down the first aircraft of this model while it was engaged in hostile acts in the airspace of the capital Sana'a. The scenes of downing this aircraft were broadcast, constituting a military achievement for Yemen and causing a shock to the US-Saudi aggression. Since that, operations of this type of aircraft have been limited, while the incidents of downing in Yemeni airspace have escalated.

In June 2019, a second aircraft of this type was downed in the airspace of Hodeidah province, and in August of the same year, a third aircraft was downed in Dhamar province. In March 2021, the fourth American drone of this type was downed.

In a first-of-its-kind operation outside Yemeni territory, on November 8, 2023, the Yemeni Air Force downed the fifth American MQ-9 Reaper spy aircraft during hostile actions and surveillance in Yemeni regional waters, as part of Washington's protection of the Zionist enemy entity.

Features of MQ-9 Reaper Aircraft

The downing of the giant American aircraft, valued at $30 million, with a weight of up to five tons and flying at an altitude of 45,000 feet, reflects the development and capabilities achieved by the Yemeni Air Force to down this type of aircraft, which the Americans have been boasting about its capabilities.

The MQ-9 or MQ-9 Reaper is an unmanned aircraft produced by the American company General Atomics. It is multi-purpose, with tasks ranging from surveillance and espionage to striking ground targets, and it is used as a missile launcher in combat zones.

It is one of the latest American unmanned aircraft with high technological specifications, including an advanced radar system, high-resolution cameras, and sensors capable of scanning a 360-degree area.

According to the manufacturer, the weight of the aircraft is about five tons, and it can carry a large quantity of laser-guided missiles and bombs, with a length of 11 meters and a wingspan of up to 20 meters.

The aircraft has a flight range of about 3,000 kilometers, with a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet (13,716 meters), while its maximum speed is about 240 kilometers per hour. 

In addition to its ability to operate in harsh weather conditions, this aircraft is designed for long endurance flights of up to 40 hours, according to its manufacturers.

This aircraft can be armed and used against "high-value and sensitive" moving targets, due to its weapon systems and its ability to monitor the area for a long period.

The Reaper aircraft is capable of monitoring and striking both fixed and moving ground targets, earning it the nickname "killer hunter" in military circles. The value of the aircraft is estimated at $30 million.

General Atomics developed its unmanned aircraft type MQ-1 Reaper in 2000 to become the MQ-9 Reaper, which is larger and more capable of carrying shells, powered by a 900-horsepower (670-kilowatt) turbo engine.

The United States launched the first squadron of these Reaper aircraft (42nd Attack Squadron) at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada in 2006.

The US Air Force owns 28 aircraft of this type, and it is expected that their number will increase to about 90 aircraft in the coming years. The US Air Force operates about 200 Predator unmanned aircraft.

The weight of the aircraft with ammunition is about 5 tons, and it can carry guided missiles and bombs weighing 1.7 tons, operating over a range of 3000 kilometers.

The aircraft's height is approximately 3.56 meters, its wingspan is 20.12 meters, and its length is 10.97 meters. The cost of one aircraft is $11.5 million, and the cost of a tactical unit (aircraft with control room, missiles, and other devices) is $30 million.

The missiles and bombs it can carry are 4 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and two 82-kilogram bombs can be added, with laser-guided vision through GPS, and tests are being conducted to equip it with AIM-92 Stinger missiles.

Translated article by Almasirah English website