ConflictsAmerican MQ-9 Reaper drone crash in Syria shrouded in mystery

American MQ‑9 Reaper drone crash in Syria shrouded in mystery

An American MQ-9 Reaper drone crashed in northern Syria, and videos of the incident, along with photos of the wreckage of this highly valuable unmanned aerial vehicle—estimated to be worth around $30 million—surfaced on social media. The causes of the crash remain unclear.

Wreckage of MQ-9 Reaper in Syria
Wreckage of MQ-9 Reaper in Syria
Images source: © X, @turkishcentury
Mateusz Tomczak

8:26 AM EST, December 10, 2024

The MQ-9 Reaper drone is often referred to as a "terrorist hunter," but this time, it became a victim itself. It remains uncertain whether the crash resulted from a technical failure or so-called friendly fire.

Causes of the MQ-9 Reaper Drone Crash

Social media observers suggest that technical issues might have caused the MQ-9 Reaper's crash rather than a shootdown. The drone was likely conducting a reconnaissance mission over Syria, where the rapid advances of opposition forces ended the rule of President Bashar al-Assad, who Russia and Iran supported.

Characteristics of the MQ-9 Reaper

The MQ-9 Reaper is a MALE class (Medium Altitude, Long Endurance) unmanned aerial vehicle designed for reconnaissance missions and attacks on critical targets using precision weapons. It was developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, based on the MQ-1 Predator, primarily for the U.S. Air Force.

The drone's turboprop engine allows it to reach speeds of over 250 mph. It can ascend to an altitude of up to 49,000 feet and remain airborne for up to 28 hours or up to 33 hours in the Reaper ER version.

The MQ-9 Reaper measures approximately 36 feet and can carry reconnaissance equipment or weapons weighing 3,860 pounds.

The MQ-9 Reaper is equipped with tools like the AN/APY-8 Lynx synthetic aperture radar, an electro-optical targeting system, and laser rangefinders and target designators for reconnaissance missions. The information collected can be transmitted to ground-based anti-tank missile launchers or allied aircraft. The MQ-9 Reaper's arsenal in combat missions may include bombs and air-to-ground missiles, such as the AGM-114 Hellfire or AIM-9 Sidewinder.

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