Iran has destroyed more than two dozen MQ-9 Reaper drones operated by the United States since the beginning of the war. The losses, estimated at nearly $1 billion, have significantly dented Washington's fleet of one of its most advanced unmanned combat aircraft systems.
According to reports, at least 24 MQ-9 Reaper drones and possibly as many as 30 have been lost during the conflict. Several drones were reportedly shot down mid-flight by Iranian air defence fire, while others were destroyed on the ground in missile strikes or damaged in operational accidents, Bloomberg reported.
The losses represent nearly 20 per cent of the Pentagon's pre-war inventory of MQ-9 Reapers, a remotely piloted aircraft system considered crucial for intelligence gathering, surveillance and precision strikes. The drones are no longer being manufactured for US forces, making the losses particularly difficult to replace.
The heavy losses come amid the ongoing conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran, which began with strikes launched on February 28. Though both sides entered into an uneasy ceasefire on April 8, occasional attacks and military exchanges have continued.
The MQ-9 Reaper, manufactured by General Atomics, has been extensively used by the US military during the conflict to avoid risking fighter pilots in hostile Iranian airspace. Despite major damage inflicted on Iran's air defence network, several regions remain highly dangerous for manned aircraft operations.
Defence analysts said that the scale of the losses underlines the growing vulnerability of expensive unmanned systems in high-intensity conflicts.
"Prosecuting war from a distance still comes with a cost,” Bloomberg Economics defence lead Becca Wasser said.
"MQ-9s may be attritable as they are uncrewed, but they are too expensive and too few with no active production line to be considered expendable," Wasser added.
The MQ-9 losses add to mounting war costs for the US and Israel, which have already expended thousands of high-end munitions including Tomahawk and JASSM-ER cruise missiles.
The US has also reportedly lost two crewed aircraft during the conflict, an F-15E Strike Eagle and an A-10 Thunderbolt II though all crew members were rescued. Additional reported losses include an E-3 airborne warning aircraft, KC-135 aerial refuelling tankers, multiple F-15 fighter jets and MC-130J transport aircraft.
What are MQ-9 Reaper drones?
The MQ-9 Reaper is one of the US military's most advanced remotely piloted aircraft systems, primarily designed for intelligence collection, surveillance, reconnaissance and precision strikes.
Developed as a successor to the MQ-1 Predator, the Reaper is larger, faster and more heavily armed. It is capable of conducting long-duration missions against high-value and time-sensitive targets while keeping aircrew away from combat zones.
The drone can carry a wide range of weapons, including AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and precision-guided bombs such as the GBU-12 Paveway II and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs). It is also equipped with advanced sensors, including infrared cameras, daylight TV cameras, laser designators and synthetic aperture radar systems.
A standard MQ-9 system consists of the aircraft, ground control stations, satellite communication links and operational crews. The drone is remotely operated by a two-person crew comprising a pilot and a sensor operator.
The aircraft has a wingspan of 66 feet and can remain airborne for extended periods while conducting surveillance or strike missions. Some extended-range variants can carry additional fuel tanks for longer endurance.
The Reaper is widely used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), close air support, precision strikes, convoy protection, combat search-and-rescue support and counter-terrorism operations.
The US Air Force introduced the MQ-9 Reaper into operational service in 2007. While production for the US military has ended, variants of the drone continue to be manufactured for foreign customers.
Military experts say the losses suffered in the Iran conflict could force the Pentagon to reassess the future role of expensive unmanned combat aircraft in heavily contested airspaces where advanced missile systems and air defences remain active.
Follow Us On Social Media