US MQ-1C Drones Lose Customers

The US Army has announced that it will no longer purchase the MQ-1C drone from its manufacturer, a decision that is directly related to the war in Yemen.

News ID: 86095

Date: 04 May 2025 - 08:54

TEHRAN (Defapress) - With the rise in the number of downed American drones in Yemen, especially the MQ-9 Reaper models, the vulnerability of this advanced equipment has now become a serious concern for the US military.

In this regard, the military website The War Zone (TWZ) reported that the US Air Force has suddenly announced its intention to stop purchasing the MQ-1C Gray Eagle drone; a decision that reflects growing concerns about the survivability and effectiveness of these drones in modern warfare. According to TWZ, the MQ-1C drone, a smaller and older version of the MQ-9 Reaper, maybe even more vulnerable than the MQ-9 (Reaper). The Yemeni military has shot down at least 21 MQ-9s in recent months.

The War Zone website wrote that the downing of the Reaper drones in Yemen shows that this drone and others in its family are not immune to countries equipped with advanced weapons. This is especially important for the US military, as the MQ-1C drone is mainly designed for operations in relatively safe environments.