Unmanned Aerial Vehicle The latest drone news
Yemen:
Yemeni air defenses continue to target the US MQ-9 drones with advanced Yemeni weapons, bewildering and terrifying the Americans.
The MQ-9 is one of the latest American drones, featuring high technological specifications, including an advanced radar system, high-resolution cameras, and sensors capable of scanning an area with a diameter of 360 degrees. The value of the drone, along with the control room, missiles, and other equipment, is $30 million.
These drones are used for various tasks, including surveillance, espionage, and striking ground targets. They can carry laser-guided missiles and bombs and have an advanced radar system that transmits data to multiple aircraft or ground sites.
The drone is 11 meters long with a wingspan of 20 meters. Its flight range is approximately 3,000 kilometers, and it can reach a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet with a top speed of about 240 kilometers per hour. It is capable of operating in harsh weather conditions and can fly for up to 40 hours.
Since the Yemeni Armed Forces entered the battle of the promised conquest and the holy jihad in support of the fighters in Gaza, they have managed to shoot down seven drones of this type as follows:
November 8, 2023
On November 8, 2023, they shot down an American MQ-9 drone while it was conducting hostile activities and reconnaissance in Yemeni territorial waters as part of American military support for the Israeli entity. The Armed Forces stated that the drone was shot down with an appropriate weapon, asserting their legitimate right to defend the country and respond to all hostile threats. They emphasized that hostile movements would not deter the Armed Forces from continuing their military operations against the Israeli entity in support of the Palestinian cause.
February 19, 2024
On Monday, February 19, 2024, the military media released footage of the downing of an American MQ-9 drone in Hodeidah province. The footage showed the precise targeting of the American drone with a locally-made surface-to-air missile, resulting in the drone’s destruction and its debris falling to the ground. The armed forces had previously announced on Monday morning that they had successfully shot down the drone with an appropriate missile while conducting hostile activities on behalf of the Israeli entity.
April 26, 2024
On April 26, 2024, the Armed Forces added a new achievement to their record by downing an MQ-9 drone in the skies of Saada province with an undisclosed missile.
May 16, 2024
On Thursday evening, May 16, 2024, the Yemeni Armed Forces announced the downing of an American MQ-9 combat reconnaissance drone while it was conducting hostile activities in the skies of Marib province. This was the fourth drone shot down since the start of the battle in support of Gaza. The spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, stated that the drone was shot down with a locally-made surface-to-air missile.
May 21, 2024
On May 21, 2024, they announced the downing of an American MQ-9 drone in the skies of Al Baydha province, central Yemen. The statement declared that this victory was in support of the Palestinian cause and in response to American and British aggression against Yemen. They successfully shot down the MQ-9 drone while it was conducting hostile activities in Al Baydha’s skies. The statement emphasized that the Armed Forces would continue to develop their defensive capabilities to counter American and British aggression and support the oppressed Palestinian people until the blockade is lifted and the aggression against Gaza stops.
May 29, 2024
On Wednesday, May 29, 2024, military media released footage of Yemeni air defenses shooting down an American MQ-9 drone while it was conducting hostile activities in the skies of Marib province. The footage showed the tracking of the American drone and the moment a locally-made surface-to-air missile hit it directly, causing it to fall.
August 4, 2024
On Sunday, August 4, 2024, the Armed Forces announced their success in shooting down an American MQ-9 drone with a locally-made surface-to-air missile while it was conducting hostile activities in the skies of Saada province. Brigadier General Yahya Saree confirmed that this was the seventh drone of its kind to be shot down since the start of the promised conquest battle, praising the fighters’ bravery and resilience in facing aggression.
Pride of America Industry ‘Drones’
The MQ-9 drone is considered a pride of America industry, making its repeated downing a significant embarrassment for Washington. A Russian website had previously noted that it was time to purchase the air defenses of the Yemeni Armed Forces. The repeated targeting of MQ-9 drones indicates that the Yemeni Armed Forces have succeeded in neutralizing one of the most crucial espionage and reconnaissance weapons used by the US against Yemen. These drones are not simple; they are the backbone of the US air fleet and a core component of its air power due to their advanced features and technologies.
Neutralizing such advanced reconnaissance and combat elements signifies a substantial development in Yemeni defensive capabilities, particularly in the air defense sector. Shooting down such sophisticated drones demonstrates the advancement of Yemeni surface-to-air missile systems, as these drones are equipped with advanced protection systems, including jamming and electronic warfare capabilities and stealth features. Neutralizing them indicates significant progress in Yemen’s air defense systems, which could eventually impose restrictions on the flight of US and British coalition aircraft in Yemeni airspace.
Recent Indian media reports have highlighted that the successful downing of American MQ-9 drones by the Yemeni Armed Forces has turned Yemen into a graveyard for these drones. This has increased concerns in India about purchasing such drones for their army and navy.
The series of MQ-9 drone downings dates back seven years to October 1, 2017, when Yemeni air defenses shot down the first drone of this type while it was conducting hostile activities in the skies over the capital, Sana’a. Footage of the drone’s downing was broadcast, which at the time shocked the US-Saudi aggression and subsequently reduced the operations of such drones with increasing frequency of their downing in Yemeni airspace.
Translated by Almasirah English website
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