Iran downs the MQ-9 Reaper with relatively cheap air-defense systems
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The United States has lost roughly a quarter of its entire MQ-9 Reaper drone fleet during its war with Iran, new reports have claimed.
The Washington Post notes approximately 45 of these unmanned aircraft were destroyed in the conflict – which represents about 25% of the fleet, which numbered approximately 185 units before fighting began.
The report comes as the US slowly realizes how Iran's air defense network became the central challenge facing the Reaper throughout sustained operations near its territory.
The MQ-9 Reaper is a remotely operated aircraft built by General Atomics for surveillance and precision strike missions – it can remain airborne for approximately 24 hours and operate at altitudes reaching around 13,000 metres.
Its weapons include AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and Mark 82 guided bombs, allowing one aircraft to conduct reconnaissance and strikes.
These drones fly at relatively low speeds and altitudes, leaving them exposed to ground-based interception systems.
Some aircraft were lost not in flight but while sitting on U.S. military bases during Iranian strikes.
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Intensive Reaper use over Iran and near the Strait of Hormuz drove much of the attrition.
Replacing these losses quickly has proven difficult, since building new Reapers requires considerable time and resources.
A single MQ-9 Reaper system can cost up to $30 million, pushing total losses past $1.3 billion.
The US military must also continue supplying drones for other ongoing operations happening elsewhere simultaneously.
Because of this strain, Washington has already resorted to purchasing remaining Reapers from General Atomics' existing stockpiles.
