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US Loses At Least 11 MQ-9 Reaper Drones in Iran Campaign
The U.S. lost 11 MQ-9 Reaper drones valued at $330 million during Operation Epic Fury, marking significant drone losses amid extensive strikes on Iranian targets, officials said.
- 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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Top US Official Says Conflict with Iran has Cost $12 Billion, US Loses 11 MQ-9 Reaper Drones
Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date. A top US official has announced that the ongoing conflict with Iran has cost the United States around $12 billion so far. Getting into it: During an interview on CBS’s Face the …
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Total News Sources24
Leaning Left2Leaning Right7Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Right
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources lean Right
50% Right
14%
C 36%
R 50%
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