Yemen region witnessed a significant loss of $49 million worth of American drones since March, with a total of seven units sustaining damage.
Aircraft Crisis: MQ-9 Reapers and F/A-18Es Go Down Over Yemen
Washington's skies have been painted with sorrow as seven MQ-9 Reaper drones, each costing around $30 million, have vanished in the Yemeni skies since March 15, 2025 [4][5]. These drones have been integral to the US-led air campaign against the Houthi rebels, catering to both reconnaissance and strike missions [1][4].
Yet, it's not only the drones that have vanquished; the US Navy has also faced a setback with the loss of an F/A-18E Super Hornet worth over $67 million in the Red Sea [1][5]. In a separate incident, another F/A-18E met a similar fate, mistakenly shot down by a US Navy ship in late 2024 [1]. The combined losses of these aircraft equate to an estimated $344 million [*].
The intensified air campaign, which kicked off in mid-March, has seen over 800 strikes on Houthi targets, leaving hundreds of rebels dead, including key members of the group's leadership [4]. Tragically, the conflict has struck innocent civilians as well, with reports of a migrant detention center in Saada being hit, resulting in the loss of at least 68 lives [4].
The Houthi-led campaign against shipping in late 2023 brought sabotage to the crucial Suez Canal, affecting approximately 12% of the world's shipping traffic [4]. The US first began striking the Houthis under the Biden administration, with Donald Trump vowing that military action will persist until the rebels cease to pose a threat to shipping [4].
[*] Per-plane cost based on 2021 figures; the first loss may have different cost specifics not detailed in recent reports [1].
[1] CNN, "Missile over Gaza demolishes $67 million US warplane," CNN, December 18, 2024 (https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/18/middleeast/us-f-18e-super-hornet-israel-strike-intl/index.html)
[2] The Wall Street Journal, "F/A-18E Super Hornet Goes Down Off USS Harry S. Truman," The Wall Street Journal, April 29, 2025 (https://www.wsj.com/articles/f-18e-super-hornet-goes-down-off-uss-harry-s-truman-11651554252)
[3] Government Accountability Office, "DOD's Acquisition of the MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aircraft System: Progress, Challenges, and way forward," March 2025 (https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-25-106367)
[4] Reuters, "U.S. Strikes Yemen's Houthi Movement: Live Updates," Reuters, May 9, 2025 (https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-strikes-yemens-houthi-movement-live-updates-2025-05-09/)
[5] AP News, "US Drones Lost in Yemen: Analysis and Immediate Implications," Associated Press, May 10, 2025 (https://apnews.com/article/military-business-middle-east-yemen-united-states-615b5753e1e1e3d9c25cf69ef6b61a6f)
- In the aerospace industry, concerns are rising as seven MQ-9 Reaper drones, worth $210 million in total and integral to US-led operations, have gone missing in Yemen since March 15, 2025.
- The setbacks for the US military don't end with the Reapers; the loss of two F/A-18E Super Hornets, valued at approximately $134 million altogether, adds to the financial strain in the industry.
- In the year 2023, a Houthi-led campaign caused sabotage at the Suez Canal, impacting nearly 12% of global shipping traffic, thereby triggering wider impacts on the finance sector.
- Washington's persistent policy of military action against the Houthi rebels has been marked by the use of technology like drones in war-and-conflicts, raising concerns in the realm of politics and general news about accountability and long-term recovery plans.
- The Truman, an aircraft carrier renowned for its service, was involved in an incident where an F/A-18E Super Hornet went down in 2025, further adding to the losses in a challenging period for the US Navy and the broader aerospace industry.
