Overview
- U.S. officials told CBS News on Sept. 17 that Iranian forces brought down at least two MQ-1 unmanned aircraft in recent days, but they did not disclose where the losses occurred or which MQ-1 variant was involved.
- The report is based on anonymous U.S. officials and has not been publicly corroborated by U.S. Central Command, which declined to comment to CBS News.
- MQ-1 variants include the older Predator, retired by the Air Force in 2018, and the larger Army Gray Eagle; both are used mainly for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and can carry Hellfire missiles.
- The alleged shootdowns add to larger U.S. unmanned-aircraft attrition documented by a recent Congressional Budget Office report that counted at least 24 MQ-9 Reaper losses and one MQ-4C Triton destroyed.
- If confirmed, the losses could widen surveillance gaps over strategic areas such as the Strait of Hormuz, complicate protection of U.S. forces and shipping, and increase pressure on U.S. commanders to adjust tactics or assets in the region.