Because of the war with Iran, the U.S. has lost a quarter of all its MQ-9 Reaper drones
During the conflict with Iran, the United States has lost at least 45 heavy reconnaissance-strike MQ-9 Reaper drones, The Washington Post writes.
"The American military has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reaper UAVs in the course of the war with Iran, which is about 25% of their fleet," the publication reported, citing three U.S. officials.
Meanwhile, another official explained to the newspaper that not all of the lost drones were shot down — some crashed after losing communication with their controls.
The publication notes that the cost of an MQ-9 Reaper can range from $30 million to $50 million, depending on the type of sensors and weapons.
The MQ-9 Reaper is used to gather intelligence data and strike dynamic targets. It is equipped with a turboprop engine that allows it to reach speeds of more than 400 km per hour. The drone can stay in the air for 24 hours at an altitude of up to 15 km. It is capable of carrying air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles, as well as laser-guided bombs.
