US lost almost 20% of its MQ-9 Reaper drones during operation against Iran — Bloomberg

  NEW YORK: During its military operation against Iran, the US armed forces lost nearly one fifth of its long-endurance MQ-9 Reaper drones, ...

 

NEW YORK: During its military operation against Iran, the US armed forces lost nearly one fifth of its long-endurance MQ-9 Reaper drones, Bloomberg reported.

According to the report, since the attack on Iran began in late February, the Islamic Republic destroyed over two dozen MQ-9 Reaper drones, which amounts to almost 20% of the Pentagon’s pre-conflict assets.

One drone costs $30 million. The drones are fitted with high-powered sensors and cameras and can carry Hellfire missiles and JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition) guided bombs, the report says.

Bloomberg also suggests that the total number of drones lost during the conflict with Iran may reach 30, if the total includes drones that were damaged and written off later.

The agency estimates the overall damage at $1 billion.

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