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US Loses At Least 11 MQ-9 Reaper Drones in Iran Campaign
Operation Epic Fury resulted in the loss of 11 MQ-9 Reaper drones valued at over $330 million, highlighting drone vulnerabilities against advanced Iranian defenses.
- By March 9, 2026, U.S. officials said Iranian forces downed 11 MQ-9 Reaper drones valued at more than $330 million.
- On February 28, 2026, Operation Epic Fury began with carrier-launched strikes and more than 20 systems hitting over 1,000 targets, U.S. Central Command said.
- The MQ-9 Reaper provides about a 1,000-mile range, about 27-hour endurance and about 3,850-pound payload, carrying AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-12/GBU-49/GBU-38/GBU-54 JDAMs as seen in CENTCOM footage earlier this month.
- Iran retaliated by firing coordinated waves of missiles and drones at U.S. bases, Israel and Gulf states; the United Arab Emirates reported 137 missiles and 209 drones on the first day, while CENTCOM introduced the LUCAS drone to combat Saturday.
- Analysts and defense experts warn Reaper vulnerabilities include slow speed, large radar cross-section, and comms reliance; Yemen-based militia claimed 15 to 20 losses in 2023–2025, and social-media alleges '358' missile use, while CENTCOM confirmed operations but withheld loss details.
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The Italian dorne destroyed in Kuwait was designed to operate in war zones where civil aviation is absent: it can carry loads up to 1,700 kilos. It was a very sophisticated specimen
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Total News Sources19
Leaning Left2Leaning Right6Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Right
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right
L 17%
C 33%
R 50%
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