Houthi forces shot down at least 7 US MQ-9 Reaper drones over Yemen in six weeks ($200M+, 2025)
[OTHER]Apr 22, 2025 · General Atomics Aeronautical Systems · MQ-9 Reaper · Creech Air Force Base
Failure Mode
OTHER
Event Date
Apr 22, 2025
Primary Entity
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Robotic Platform
MQ-9 Reaper
Jurisdiction / Location
Creech Air Force Base
Audit Standard
Physical State Verified
Incident Abstract & Audit Findings
Between late March and April 2025, Houthi forces shot down at least seven US MQ-9 Reaper drones (about $30M each, over $200M total) over Yemen and the Red Sea during the US air campaign, with losses reported on 31 March and 3, 9, 13, 18, 19, and 22 April. It was part of a broader loss of at least 16 to 20 Reapers to the Houthis since October 2023, a striking attrition of a high-end uncrewed system to a non-state actor.
System & Fleet Architecture
Operating Manufacturer
Hardware Platform
Operational Sectors
Primary Sources & Evidentiary Filings
- Inspect Filing
https://thedefensepost.com/2025/04/29/us-lost-mq9-drones-yemen/
https://thedefensepost.com/2025/04/29/us-lost-mq9-drones-yemen/
- Inspect Filing
https://www.euronews.com/2025/04/25/us-reaper-drone-losses-mount-in-yemen-as-campaign-against-houthis-intensifies
https://www.euronews.com/2025/04/25/us-reaper-drone-losses-mount-in-yemen-as-campaign-against-houthis-intensifies
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Incident Context & FAQ
What happened in Houthi forces shot down at least 7 US MQ-9 Reaper drones over Yemen in six weeks ($200M+, 2025)?
Between late March and April 2025, Houthi forces shot down at least seven US MQ-9 Reaper drones (about $30M each, over $200M total) over Yemen and the Red Sea during the US air campaign, with losses reported on 31 March and 3, 9, 13, 18, 19, and 22 April. It was part of a broader loss of at least 16 to 20 Reapers to the Houthis since October 2023, a striking attrition of a high-end uncrewed system to a non-state actor.
When did this incident occur?
The incident is recorded as occurring on April 22, 2025 on the DEPLOY registry. The date reflects the underlying real-world event, not the registry record's creation date.
What robot was involved in Houthi forces shot down at least 7 US MQ-9 Reaper drones over Yemen in six weeks ($200M+, 2025)?
MQ-9 Reaper by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is the recorded robot involved in this incident at Creech Air Force Base.
Has anyone responded to Houthi forces shot down at least 7 US MQ-9 Reaper drones over Yemen in six weeks ($200M+, 2025)?
No responses to this incident are recorded on the DEPLOY registry. Operators, manufacturers, or affected parties can submit responses to the editorial team; absence is not a guarantee no response was issued.
What is the current status of Houthi forces shot down at least 7 US MQ-9 Reaper drones over Yemen in six weeks ($200M+, 2025)?
This incident is an active record on the DEPLOY registry; no retraction or correction has been issued.