First footage of an MQ-9 used in an air-to-air mission: firing a Hellfire missile at a target in Yemen, between operational experimentation and political debate.
A video presented to the US Congress shows an MQ-9 Reaper launching a Hellfire missile at an unidentified aerial object off the coast of Yemen in October 2024. This engagement, unprecedented for this type of drone in operation, took place in a context marked by drone and missile attacks carried out by the Houthis, supported by Iran. The missile appears to hit the target without causing an explosion, as the object continues on its trajectory.
This footage, made public by Representative Eric Burlison, raises three main questions: the air-to-air capability of MQ-9 drones, the uncertain identification of targets, and the transparency of the Pentagon on unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP). The incident confirms the evolution of armed drones toward a broader role, including air defense, but also fuels debate about rules of engagement and communication by the authorities.
An unprecedented event: an MQ-9 engaged in an air-to-air mission
The MQ-9 Reaper, originally designed for air-to-ground strikes and surveillance, has rarely been used against aerial targets. The case revealed by the 50-second video is believed to be the first documented operational engagement against a flying object.
The missile used, an AGM-114 Hellfire, is a laser-guided weapon primarily intended for the destruction of ground vehicles. In the sequence, the mention of “LRD LASE DES” indicates buddy lasing: one Reaper illuminates the target with a laser, while the other fires the missile. The trajectory shows a partial impact, producing debris but no full explosion. The object continues its flight, which can be explained by the configuration of the Hellfire’s rocket, optimized for solid ground targets rather than airborne threats.
The fact that a MALE (medium altitude long endurance) drone is authorized to fire air-to-air reflects a change in doctrine. Until now, the few known tests dated back to 2017 with the integration of an AIM-9X Sidewinder on Reaper, or older experiments with Predator armed with Stinger in 2002-2003. The 2024 incident proves that these theoretical scenarios have become operational, at least in emergency situations.
A combat zone saturated with Houthi drones and missiles
The incident occurred over the Red Sea, an area where the Houthis have been conducting intense drone and missile strike campaigns since October 2023. Dozens of merchant and military ships have been targeted, as well as targets in Israel and Saudi Arabia.
US forces shot down several hundred drones and missiles in the region between late 2023 and May 2025. The MQ-9s, with their 27-hour flight endurance and ceiling of approximately 15,000 m, played a key role in surveillance and interdiction. The Houthis claim to have shot down at least 20 Reapers since the start of the conflict, using surface-to-air systems supplied by Iran.
In this context, the observed engagement could be interpreted as a defensive reaction to an approaching kamikaze drone or cruise missile. The apparent low speed of the target, as noted by analysts, suggests a drone or balloon-type craft. However, Burlison puts forward the hypothesis of a UAP to highlight the Pentagon’s lack of transparency.
The limitations of the Hellfire missile in air-to-air use
The choice of a Hellfire laser for air-to-air firing illustrates the operational constraints. This missile, which is 1.63 m long and weighs approximately 45 kg, has a shaped charge optimized to pierce armor. Its terminal velocity (approximately 450 m/s) and direct trajectory are ill-suited to fast or maneuvering targets.
The lack of proximity detonation explains the partial failure: without direct contact, the missile cannot effectively neutralize an aerial target. Conversely, weapons such as the AIM-9X or APKWS II (70 mm guided rocket adapted for anti-drone use) have suitable sensors. Cost is also a factor: a Hellfire is estimated to cost $150,000, compared to around $30,000 for an APKWS rocket.
The use of Hellfire in this role could be improvised, due to a lack of dedicated ammunition available in the area. This illustrates the limitations of adapting a drone designed for ground use, but also the tactical flexibility of operators in the face of new aerial threats.
Doctrinal challenges for the US Air Force and US Navy
This engagement raises the question of transforming MALE drones into multi-role platforms. Reapers, deployed extensively since 2007, are threatened by the arrival of more effective ground-to-air defenses and the proliferation of enemy drones. Their use in air-to-air missions could extend their usefulness.
The US military is already testing several solutions:
- AIM-9X Sidewinder on Reapers to engage fast-moving targets.
- APKWS II on F-16s and A-10s for cost-effective anti-drone capabilities.
- AGM-114L Longbow (Hellfire radar) in a surface-to-air role, recently deployed on LCS ships.
This diversification reflects a doctrinal shift: drones are no longer just armed sensors, but also active players in air defense. In a saturated theater, each platform must be capable of protecting itself or friendly units.
The issue of UAPs and government transparency
The release of the video during a Congressional hearing on UAPs is not insignificant. Since the creation of the AARO (All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office) in 2022, lawmakers have criticized the Pentagon for its opaque communication. Promises to release images of the three objects shot down in 2023 over the United States and Canada have still not been kept.
Burlison used this example to denounce information blockages. The argument is that videos of conventional strikes are released quickly, while UAP files remain secret. This opacity fuels speculation and undermines public confidence.
If the object was simply a drone or balloon, why not state this clearly? If this is not the case, the question of rules of engagement arises: shooting at an unidentified target can create diplomatic or technical incidents. The decision to release this video reflects a growing unease between Congress and the Pentagon over the handling of the UAP file.
Consequences and prospects
This episode marks a turning point: the MQ-9 Reaper is now associated with real air-to-air missions, even if the result was inconclusive. This development has three major consequences:
- Technological: the need to equip drones with suitable ammunition, including proximity fuses and air-to-air sensors.
- Operational: drones are becoming air defense tools in saturated environments, which broadens their scope of use.
- Political: the lack of clarity about the nature of the targets fuels mistrust of the military authorities.
In a theater such as the Red Sea, where tensions involve the Houthis, Iran, the United States, and their allies, the improvised use of air-to-ground munitions against aerial targets reflects rapid adaptation, but also doctrinal fragility. Armed drones are at a crossroads: either they evolve into multi-mission platforms, or they become obsolete in the face of new threats.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.