British Royal Air Force MQ-9A Reaper Drone Eliminates a Terrorist Threat in Syria as Daesh Resurges
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On March 6, 2025, the British military announced that a Royal Air Force MQ-9A Reaper drone had carried out a precise strike against a Daesh terrorist in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, as part of Operation Shader. This mission is part of the United Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to counter the remnants of the terrorist organization, which continues to pose a threat despite the loss of its territorial control.
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Since the launch of Operation Shader in 2014, British forces, including Reaper drones and Typhoon fighter jets, have conducted numerous strikes against strategic targets and Daesh combatants, reducing their operational capabilities. (Picture source: British MoD)
The operation took place on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, when the Reaper was conducting an armed reconnaissance mission over the region. The crew, consisting of a pilot, a sensor operator, and a mission intelligence coordinator, identified the target and maintained surveillance to assess the situation. Once the individual was isolated, minimizing the risk to civilians, the Reaper carried out the strike using an AGM-114 Hellfire missile, eliminating the threat with precision.
This mission highlights the United Kingdom’s continued commitment to preventing any attempts by Daesh to regroup in the region. Since the launch of Operation Shader in 2014, British forces, including Reaper drones and Typhoon fighter jets, have conducted numerous strikes against strategic targets and Daesh combatants, reducing their operational capabilities.
The MQ-9A Reaper is a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial system designed for surveillance and precision strikes. It is equipped with electro-optical and infrared cameras, a synthetic aperture radar, and laser designators, enabling real-time reconnaissance and target identification with high accuracy. Its armament includes Hellfire missiles and GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs, providing targeted strike capabilities with reduced collateral impact.
Developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, the MQ-9A Reaper is powered by a Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine, reaching a maximum speed of 240 KTAS and an altitude of up to 50,000 feet, with an endurance of 27 hours. It is designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and precision strike missions, with a payload capacity of 3,850 pounds, including 3,000 pounds of external stores. Its avionics architecture features triple redundancy and a fault-tolerant flight control system, ensuring high reliability in operations.
The Reaper’s armament includes AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-12 Paveway II guided bombs. It is also equipped with a Lynx Multi-mode radar, maritime surveillance radar, and an MTS-B electro-optical/infrared system, providing real-time situational awareness and target tracking. Its MIL-STD-1760-compliant store management system allows flexible mission configurations. Controlled via C-Band and Ku-Band SATCOM data links, it can be remotely piloted or operated in a semi-autonomous mode, ensuring operational flexibility.
The Reaper is operated by the Royal Air Force’s 13 and 39 Squadrons, based at RAF Waddington, though missions are remotely conducted from bases in the UK and the United States. A ground crew handles launch and recovery operations, while the mission crew operates the aircraft and its systems via a secure satellite link, enabling effective over-the-horizon communication.
Since 2014, British forces have played a key role in countering Daesh, carrying out multiple strikes against infrastructure, weapons caches, and enemy positions in Iraq and Syria. In 2024, several operations took place, including on April 21, when Typhoon FGR4 jets destroyed a rocket launcher targeting coalition forces, and on June 18, when a Reaper successfully engaged another Daesh fighter in the Syrian desert. The number of airstrikes has varied over the years based on the evolving threat, with three recorded in 2022 and thirteen in 2021.
Although the Reaper was initially planned for retirement in 2015, its operational use was extended due to its continued relevance, particularly within Operation Shader. However, the replacement program is underway, with the introduction of the Protector drone, which will further enhance British surveillance and strike capabilities.
This latest strike reaffirms the UK’s operational role in countering Daesh and preventing the group’s resurgence. While Daesh no longer controls significant territory, its insurgent activities continue to require sustained vigilance from coalition forces, with the UK remaining a key contributor to ongoing counterterrorism operations.
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On March 6, 2025, the British military announced that a Royal Air Force MQ-9A Reaper drone had carried out a precise strike against a Daesh terrorist in Aleppo Governorate, Syria, as part of Operation Shader. This mission is part of the United Kingdom’s ongoing efforts to counter the remnants of the terrorist organization, which continues to pose a threat despite the loss of its territorial control.
Since the launch of Operation Shader in 2014, British forces, including Reaper drones and Typhoon fighter jets, have conducted numerous strikes against strategic targets and Daesh combatants, reducing their operational capabilities. (Picture source: British MoD)
The operation took place on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, when the Reaper was conducting an armed reconnaissance mission over the region. The crew, consisting of a pilot, a sensor operator, and a mission intelligence coordinator, identified the target and maintained surveillance to assess the situation. Once the individual was isolated, minimizing the risk to civilians, the Reaper carried out the strike using an AGM-114 Hellfire missile, eliminating the threat with precision.
This mission highlights the United Kingdom’s continued commitment to preventing any attempts by Daesh to regroup in the region. Since the launch of Operation Shader in 2014, British forces, including Reaper drones and Typhoon fighter jets, have conducted numerous strikes against strategic targets and Daesh combatants, reducing their operational capabilities.
The MQ-9A Reaper is a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial system designed for surveillance and precision strikes. It is equipped with electro-optical and infrared cameras, a synthetic aperture radar, and laser designators, enabling real-time reconnaissance and target identification with high accuracy. Its armament includes Hellfire missiles and GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs, providing targeted strike capabilities with reduced collateral impact.
Developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, the MQ-9A Reaper is powered by a Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine, reaching a maximum speed of 240 KTAS and an altitude of up to 50,000 feet, with an endurance of 27 hours. It is designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and precision strike missions, with a payload capacity of 3,850 pounds, including 3,000 pounds of external stores. Its avionics architecture features triple redundancy and a fault-tolerant flight control system, ensuring high reliability in operations.
The Reaper’s armament includes AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and GBU-12 Paveway II guided bombs. It is also equipped with a Lynx Multi-mode radar, maritime surveillance radar, and an MTS-B electro-optical/infrared system, providing real-time situational awareness and target tracking. Its MIL-STD-1760-compliant store management system allows flexible mission configurations. Controlled via C-Band and Ku-Band SATCOM data links, it can be remotely piloted or operated in a semi-autonomous mode, ensuring operational flexibility.
The Reaper is operated by the Royal Air Force’s 13 and 39 Squadrons, based at RAF Waddington, though missions are remotely conducted from bases in the UK and the United States. A ground crew handles launch and recovery operations, while the mission crew operates the aircraft and its systems via a secure satellite link, enabling effective over-the-horizon communication.
Since 2014, British forces have played a key role in countering Daesh, carrying out multiple strikes against infrastructure, weapons caches, and enemy positions in Iraq and Syria. In 2024, several operations took place, including on April 21, when Typhoon FGR4 jets destroyed a rocket launcher targeting coalition forces, and on June 18, when a Reaper successfully engaged another Daesh fighter in the Syrian desert. The number of airstrikes has varied over the years based on the evolving threat, with three recorded in 2022 and thirteen in 2021.
Although the Reaper was initially planned for retirement in 2015, its operational use was extended due to its continued relevance, particularly within Operation Shader. However, the replacement program is underway, with the introduction of the Protector drone, which will further enhance British surveillance and strike capabilities.
This latest strike reaffirms the UK’s operational role in countering Daesh and preventing the group’s resurgence. While Daesh no longer controls significant territory, its insurgent activities continue to require sustained vigilance from coalition forces, with the UK remaining a key contributor to ongoing counterterrorism operations.
