Iran Has Destroyed Roughly $1 Billion Worth of US Reaper Drones

Iran has destroyed more than two dozen MQ-9 Reaper drones operated by US forces since the war began, a significant loss worth nearly $1 billion that represents 20% of the Pentagon’s prewar inventory for the hard-to-replace unmanned system.

Many of the strike drones were downed mid-flight by Iranian fire but some were destroyed on the ground in missile strikes, or in accidents, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

Reapers, which are no longer manufactured for US forces, cost about $30 million each and carry high-powered sensors, including cameras. They can also carry weapons such as Hellfire ...