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On May 17, 2024, the anti-aircraft missile crew of the Ansar Allah movement, commonly known as the Houthis, successfully shot down a fifth American MQ-9 Reaper UAV in Yemeni airspace. The Houthis have now managed to shoot down another valuable American MQ-9 Reaper drone, bringing the total number of American UAVs downed to six, including five MQ-9 Reapers, for a total value of approximately $153.2 million.
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Following the downing of the 5th MQ-9 Reaper, residents in Wadi Marib burned the wreckage before loyalist army units could arrive (Picture source: Russian social media)

According to available information, this marks the fifth instance where Houthi forces have brought down an American attack and reconnaissance UAV. While American sources claim that the drone fell due to technical problems, there are speculations about the potential use of electronic warfare in this incident, similar to previous occurrences. Some sources suggest that the Iranian Saqr 358 loitering surface-to-air missile may have been used to shoot down this fifth MQ-9 drone.

The Saqr 358 missile, developed by Iran, is a loitering surface-to-air missile that combines features of both a suicide drone and a conventional surface-to-air missile. It is used by groups such as the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Islamic Resistance in Iraq. First revealed in Yemen in 2019, it is designed to operate at altitudes over 10 km with a maximum range of 100 km. The missile includes a solid rocket booster for launch and a turbojet for sustained flight, allowing it to travel at subsonic speeds and loiter to identify and engage targets. It employs an imaging infrared seeker, an inertial navigation system, satellite navigation, and a vertical gyroscope, enabling it to target various aerial threats, including helicopters and drones.

The missile’s design features a cylindrical body with three sets of fins for maneuverability and stability and can be launched from simple ground or vehicle-mounted stands. It incorporates commercially available components, such as the Titan AMT gas turbine and Xsense Technologies’ inertial sensor module. The launch process involves the missile’s booster stage propelling it to sufficient speed, after which the booster detaches, and the gas turbine engine takes over. Infrared sensors and an optical proximity fuse allow the missile to destroy targets with shrapnel even without direct impact.

The Saqr 358 missile, developed by Iran, is a loitering surface-to-air missile that combines features of both a suicide drone and a conventional surface-to-air missile. (US Department of Justice)

Brigadier General Yahya Sari, the official representative of the Yemeni Armed Forces, confirmed that the Houthi air defense forces shot down the MQ-9 Reaper in the northeastern Yemeni province of Marib. This statement could indeed confirm the use of such a surface-to-air missile. According to this statement, the MQ-9 drone was reportedly performing hostile actions in the airspace of Marib province when it was intercepted by a ‘locally produced’ surface-to-air missile. Following its downing, residents in Wadi Marib burned the wreckage before loyalist army units could arrive. The official statement from Brigadier General Yahya Sari noted that the incident took place with the help of the Supreme Air Defense of Yemen, and scenes of the downing would be published later.

The loss of the MQ-9 Reaper adds to a growing list of American UAVs shot down by Houthi forces. Prior to this event, at least five U.S. drones had been downed by the Houthis. These incidents include an MQ-9 Reaper downed on June 7, 2019, by a surface-to-air missile; another MQ-9 Reaper intercepted on November 1, 2017, in western Yemen; an MQ-9 Reaper reported shot down in August 2023; another MQ-9 Reaper shot down on April 25, 2024, over Saada province; and a ScanEagle drone downed in 2023. The cumulative value of these downed drones, including the latest MQ-9 Reaper, is now approximately $153.2 million. Each MQ-9 Reaper is valued at $30 million, while the ScanEagle drone is worth $3.2 million.

Introduced on May 1, 2007, the MQ-9 Reaper is a multi-role, remotely piloted aircraft system used by the US Air Force for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and precision strike missions. It features a suite of sensors, including infrared, daylight TV, and laser designators, and can carry a payload of up to 1,700 kg, including Hellfire missiles and laser-guided bombs. The Reaper can operate at altitudes up to 50,000 feet and has a range of over 1,900 kilometers. It is controlled remotely and offers a cruise speed of 313 km/h, thanks to a Honeywell TPE331-10 turboprop engine generating 900 hp.

Introduced in 2005, the smaller ScanEagle is a long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle designed by Insitu, a Boeing subsidiary, for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations. It can fly for over 24 hours at altitudes up to 15,000 feet. The ScanEagle is launched using a catapult and recovered with a SkyHook system, which eliminates the need for runways. It is equipped with electro-optical and infrared cameras to provide real-time video and imagery. Its small size, coupled with a weight of only 18 kg, allows for deployment in remote areas without extensive infrastructure, making it suitable for a variety of missions, including battlefield surveillance or maritime patrol, at a cruise speed of 111 km/h.

Introduced on May 1, 2007, the MQ-9 Reaper is a multi-role, remotely piloted aircraft system used by the US Air Force for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and precision strike missions. (US Air Force)

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Diehl Defence announced on May 17, 2024, that the KF-21 from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), a 4.5th generation indigenous fighter jet still under development, successfully completed its first guided test firing of the IRIS-T short-range air-to-air missile (AIM-2000). This significant milestone was achieved in collaboration with Diehl Defence, marking a key moment in the KF-21 fighter program, South Korea’s most ambitious fighter jet initiative to date.
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Since 2017, KAI and Diehl Defence have been working closely to achieve a seamless integration of the IRIS-T, known as Europe’s most advanced short-range air-to-air missile (Picture source: South Korean DAPA)

The successful test of the IRIS-T missile this month follows previous achievements within the program. Following the aircraft’s first flight in early 2023, a safe separation test was conducted in May 2023, which involved firing an unguided missile in flight. The recent test in May 2024 saw the missile designated by the onboard AESA radar, successfully engaging a target drone. This comprehensive test not only demonstrated the initial air-to-air capability of the KF-21 but also showcased the performance of the IRIS-T.

The KAI KF-21 Boramae, a multi-role fighter jet developed by Korea Aerospace Industries, epitomizes South Korea’s ambition and technological prowess in military aviation. The prototype was revealed in 2021, and it successfully completed its maiden flight on July 19, 2022. The KF-21 is on track to be operational by 2026, aligning with the timeline projected in 2019.

This significant undertaking required a substantial investment of approximately 8,800 billion won, roughly equivalent to 7.56 billion US dollars. The cost per unit for the KF-21 is estimated at 50 million US dollars.

Technically, the KF-21 is equipped with two F414-400K dual-flow turbojet engines. It features a wingspan of 11.2 meters, a length of 16.9 meters, and a height of 4.7 meters. The aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight stands at 25,580 kilograms. Capable of reaching speeds up to 2,250 kilometers per hour, the KF-21 has an operational range of 1,000 kilometers. It is designed to be armed with up to four Meteor missiles, with plans to start outfitting the aircraft with these next month.

Since 2017, KAI and Diehl Defence have been working closely to achieve a seamless integration of the IRIS-T, known as Europe’s most advanced short-range air-to-air missile. Their collaborative efforts have led to this notable success. Helmut Rauch, CEO of Diehl Defence, expressed his congratulations to KAI for their exceptional performance in the development of the KF-21 program and his pride in Diehl Defence’s role in this success with the IRIS-T missile.

This live firing from the KF-21 also marks an important milestone for the IRIS-T program, demonstrating its compatibility with both legacy and modern fighter aircraft. Following an agreement in February 2024 between KAI and Diehl Defence, plans are underway to begin integrating the IRIS-T into KAI’s FA-50, preparing both platforms for demanding missions.

The IRIS-T system has already been integrated into several major combat aircraft platforms worldwide, including the Panavia Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, JAS-39 Gripen, F-16, EF-18, and F-5. It is currently in service or on order with various NATO countries, as well as Brazil, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.

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Airbus Defence and Space, the prime contractor for the Eurodrone program, announced on May 16, 2024, that the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully completed. This significant milestone was achieved in collaboration with OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation) and representatives from the four customer nations: France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The PDR was attended by the three major sub-contractors, Airbus Defence and Space Spain, Dassault Aviation, and Leonardo.
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Artist rendering of the future design of the Eurodrone. (Picture source Airbus)

The PDR (Preliminary Design Review ) is a crucial step in developing the Eurodrone, demonstrating that the initial design has matured sufficiently to advance to the detailed design phase. This review included various technical assessments and evaluations, such as Wind Tunnel Testing to confirm the aerodynamic configuration and the validation of a fully representative Digital Twin. The PDR ensures that the overall design meets operational capability requirements.

Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defense and Space, emphasized the importance of this achievement, stating, “Performing the Preliminary Design Review for the development of Eurodrone represents an important step forward for this key European defense program. It shows a real joint effort and collaborative spirit from all industrial partners and the Customer community to ensure European sovereignty and independence in this critical segment of unmanned long endurance ISTAR capability.”

The successful PDR marks the transition of the Eurodrone program into the next phase, aiming for the Critical Design Review (CDR). The CDR will be the final step in closing the architecture and system design, solidifying the blueprint for this advanced unmanned aerial system.

Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the Eurodrone is designed to be a cornerstone of future combat air systems. It will play a vital role in international conflict prevention and crisis management, providing superior operational capabilities in Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. The Eurodrone will ensure that the participating nations maintain operational superiority in critical defense segments.

Since its inception, the Eurodrone program has benefitted from both physical and digital design philosophies. It continues to demonstrate the European defense industry’s collaborative spirit and technical expertise.

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According to the Spanish newspaper Infodefensa, dated May 16, 2024, the Colombian National Police (PNC) will integrate the VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) Thunder B tactical drones from BlueBird Aero Systems into their arsenal. This technological upgrade aims to replace the BlueBird SpyLite drones, in use since 2015. The Thunder B model has been selected for its ability to meet specific intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance needs, thanks to its advanced vertical take-off and landing capabilities.

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BlueBird Thunder B Vertical Take-Off and Landing Drone (Picture source: IAI)

The PNC’s choice of Thunder B drones, equipped with VTOL capabilities, demonstrates a strategic evolution in their surveillance approach. These drones, intended for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, are particularly suited to the tactical demands of the armed forces due to their agility in take-off and landing maneuvers.

According to the terms of the agreement made in 2022 with BlueBird Aero Systems, three Thunder B units will initially be received, although the exact delivery date remains to be confirmed. These advanced devices offer an impressive range of 150 kilometers and can remain on a mission for up to 13 consecutive hours, with full HD video transmission capabilities.

The technical specifications of the Thunder B are also noteworthy. The drone measures 1.9 meters in length, 4 meters in width, and 0.34 meters in height, with a maximum weight of 13 kilograms. Capable of flying at speeds up to 120 km/h, it can reach a ceiling of 5,100 meters. Take-off and landing maneuvers are powered by batteries, while horizontal flight is propelled by combustion.

This acquisition is a key step for the PNC, enhancing its ability to conduct surveillance operations more effectively and with high-tech technology, suited to the varied challenges of modern security and defense missions. The Thunder B drones are thus expected to play a crucial role in Colombia’s intelligence strategies, demonstrating the country’s ongoing commitment to improving its defense and security capabilities.

The VTOL system is designed for pinpoint vertical takeoff and landing, enabling operation in confined areas at any time. This system is highly adaptable, equipped with a range of high-performance sensors, communications tools, and sophisticated software algorithms tailored for various missions. Additionally, it ensures covert operations with minimal acoustic, visual, thermal, and radar signatures, and it is engineered to maintain functionality in environments where GPS is compromised, thanks to its multi-layer protection against GPS jamming.

The system also features advanced datalinks that uphold mission continuity even in COMJAM environments through the integration of three communication links. It is robust and designed to operate optimally in severe weather conditions and extreme terrains. The VTOL is user-friendly, with rapid deployment capabilities, a small required crew of just two, and no necessity for a prepared area. It includes an intuitive, mission-oriented Ground Control Station (GCS). Furthermore, the system is highly reliable, incorporating multiple system redundancies and advanced, field-proven avionics. It also offers low life-cycle costs, with affordable acquisition and maintenance expenses.

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According to the Military Programming Law (LPM) for 2024-30, the Rafale upgraded to the F5 standard will need to be capable of operating alongside loyal wingman-type drones developed from the nEUROn demonstrator. This will mark a step towards the Future Air Combat System (SCAF), a program conducted in cooperation with Germany and Spain, based on a next-generation fighter aircraft developed under the leadership of Dassault Aviation, with the German and Spanish subsidiaries of Airbus Defence & Space as partners
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View of EF2000/Typhoon, patrol configuration (Picture source: Open source)

However, the Rafale F5 will likely not be the only European aircraft able to control drones. Indeed, as part of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) project launched in 2019, the German branch of Airbus Defence & Space intends to develop capabilities known as Manned UnManned Teaming (MUM-T) for the Eurofighter EF-2000/Typhoon.

Details about this program, called STAR (System and Teaming Advanced Research) and conducted within the X-Platform (XPCS) study, were provided in a job posting by the industrial firm, which was in search of a chief engineer to lead it at Manching, Germany.

It involves developing a “STAR demonstrator,” based on a two-seater EF-2000/Typhoon, notably featuring “new connectivity” to explore technologies related to human-machine interfaces (HMI), which will then be used in future applications of SCAF.

However, these efforts will also aim to ensure that the Eurofighter remains an “active future” component of SCAF, with developments from the STAR project being “compatible and complementary” to the LTE program involving not only Germany and Spain but also the United Kingdom and Italy, the latter two countries being involved in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

LTE will bridge towards the respective future air combat systems (SCAF and GCAP) as specified by the Eurofighter consortium, formed by BAE Systems, Airbus, and Leonardo. The consortium also noted that some of the technologies currently under study are very immature, but they need to be examined because there is a desire to sustain the Typhoon as much as possible.

Nevertheless, Airbus is not starting from scratch. In December 2022, the company celebrated the successful demonstration of the “Multi-Domain Flight Demo” (MDFD), which enabled two fighter jets, a helicopter, and five support drones to conduct a “multi-domain mission very close to a real-life situation” via a meshed airborne data link network.

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On May 14, 2024, the Belgian Air Force achieved a significant milestone with the successful maiden flight of its first F-35A Lightning II stealth fighter, part of a larger order of 34 aircraft intended to rejuvenate its aerial combat capabilities. Taking off from the Lockheed Martin facility in Fort Worth, Texas, the aircraft, designated as AY-03 and the third in the series, flew for about an hour.
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Belgium’s decision to procure 34 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from Lockheed Martin was made in October 2018, aiming to replace the aging fleet of 54 F-16 Fighting Falcon jets that have served the Belgian Air Force since the late 1970s. (Picture source: Facebook/The military aviation pictures and history)

Marking the beginning of a new era for the Belgian Air Force (BAF), this event was notably captured in photographs by aviation enthusiasts, showcasing the aircraft adorned with the Belgian roundel and the national flag on its tail, alongside the tail code FL003 (“Fighter Lightning 003”). Interestingly, the first Belgian F-35 aircraft to roll out in December 2023, designated AY-01 with tail code FL001, featured a slightly different rendition of Belgium’s national markings, likely due to the artificial lighting during the ceremony.

Following the example of the Royal Danish Air Force, which was the first to feature a subdued version of the colored roundel and national flag, Belgium opted for a subdued color scheme, incorporating tones of red, yellow, and black to create distinctive yet less conspicuous markings. Conversely, the Polish Air Force opted for low visibility checkerboards and markings to enhance operational stealth.

Currently, the initial batch of four Belgian F-35s is undergoing engine runs and additional flight testing. These aircraft will initially be based at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where Belgian pilots will undergo training alongside other F-35 customers’ pilots and maintainers. The first F-35 aircraft is expected to arrive in Belgium at Florennes Air Base in 2025, with plans to base additional F-35s at Kleine-Brogel starting in 2027.

Belgium’s decision to procure 34 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets from Lockheed Martin was made in October 2018, aiming to replace the aging fleet of 54 F-16 Fighting Falcon jets that have served the Belgian Air Force since the late 1970s. Belgium’s acquisition of the F-35 not only includes the aircraft but also extends to engines, mission simulators, and extensive training for both pilots and maintenance crews, representing a substantial investment of $6.53 billion for the country.

The original plan was to deliver four F-35s to Belgium per year from 2023 to 2030, to gradually replace its fleet of 54 F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, which are being phased out between 2023 and 2028. The COVID-19 pandemic caused delays, affecting Lockheed Martin and its subcontractors and altering the delivery schedule. The revised plan aimed for the first two Belgian F-35As to be delivered by the end of 2023, followed by two more in the first quarter of 2024, though further changes have occurred.

Following the example of the Royal Danish Air Force, which was the first to feature a subdued version of the colored roundel and national flag, Belgium opted for a subdued color scheme, incorporating tones of red, yellow, and black to create distinctive yet less conspicuous markings. (Picture source: Instagram/Gherardo Fontana)

Initially, the Belgian F-35s were to be built with the new Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) upgrades, but these upgrades have been delayed. The TR-3 configuration is crucial as it includes both software and hardware upgrades necessary for the Block 4 upgrade and future improvements, serving as the IT backbone for all subsequent enhancements. All new production aircraft will receive TR-3, and it will be retrofitted on all F-35s already in service back to Lot 10. Lockheed Martin has confirmed that all the Belgian Air Force’s F-35s will be delivered in the TR-3 configuration.

Belgium joins a growing list of European nations to purchase the F-35 Lightning II to replace their aging fleets of fighter jets. As of 2024, twelve European countries, including the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Poland, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, Portugal, and the Czech Republic, will now be operating this 5th generation stealth fighter jet. Like the F-16, the F-35 will remain a key component of NATO’s aerial defense strategy against potential threats, particularly from Russia.

The F-35 Lightning II, primarily developed by Lockheed Martin, is a fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft designed for a variety of military operations, including air-to-air, air-to-surface, and electronic warfare. Utilizing advanced stealth technology to reduce its radar cross-section, the aircraft aims to enhance its survivability in hostile environments. Equipped with integrated electronic systems such as the Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) and Distributed Aperture System (DAS), it enhances reconnaissance and situational awareness capabilities, contributing to its effectiveness in missile defense and air combat. These systems enable the F-35 to monitor its surroundings and engage targets at significant distances.

Powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135 engine capable of delivering 43,000 pounds of thrust, the F-35 Lightning II can achieve a maximum speed of approximately Mach 1.6, equivalent to around 1,975 km/h. Regarding armaments, the F-35 can be outfitted with various weapons. It features internal bays capable of housing AIM-120C air-to-air missiles and GBU-32 JDAM guided bombs, among other munitions tailored for diverse mission requirements. With a standard weapon capacity exceeding 18,000 pounds, the F-35 can increase this load to 22,000 pounds in a configuration colloquially known as “beast mode.” The aircraft’s design incorporates stealth features to minimize its radar visibility, augmenting its effectiveness in combat scenarios where stealth capabilities are paramount.