US upgrades MQ-9 Reaper to use Hellfire laser to shoot flying targets

The moment an MQ-9 Reaper fired Hellfire at a strange object off the coast of Yemen was recorded by the US, revealing a new revolution in drone warfare.

On September 10, the US released a shocking 50-second video , believed to have been filmed on October 30, 2024, showing the MQ-9 Reaper UAV firing a Hellfire missile for the first time at a mysterious object in the sky over Yemen. This rare footage not only reveals a new turning point in drone warfare, but also raises many questions about what is really going on.

Notably, the words “LRD LASE DES” appeared on the video screen, confirming that one MQ-9 had used a laser to guide the Hellfire from the other. This is a familiar technique in ground attacks, but now applied to air targets.

In addition, the AGM-114 Hellfire missile was developed in the 1980s as an anti-tank weapon. Over the decades, it has become a symbol of UAV lines in counter-terrorism operations. The use of Hellfire in air defense shows that the US is trying to exploit additional functions beyond the original design.

However, the Hellfire is not technically optimized for air combat. It lacks radar or infrared sensors and relies entirely on laser guidance. That means the target must be flying slowly and on a steady trajectory for the missile to hit. Therefore, it is likely that the object in the video is a kamikaze UAV or a Houthi subsonic cruise missile.

Since late 2023, Houthi rebels have been continuously attacking ships, bases, and even Israel. The US has had to deploy MQ-9 UAVs on a permanent basis to monitor and prevent. In that context, testing the Hellfire in an air defense role is a logical step, both practical and urgent.

This is not the first time that US UAVs have been tested in air combat. In 2002, Predator launched Stinger missiles at Iraqi MiG-25s. In 2017, Reaper tested AIM-9X and successfully shot down a UAV target. MQ-1C Gray Eagle also recently used AGM-114L Hellfire radar guidance to destroy UAVs.

In addition to Hellfire, the US is also pursuing the trend of “recycling” ground-to-air weapons into air defense. A typical example is APKWS II - a 70mm missile with a laser guidance system, transformed into a cheap air defense weapon. Since 2019, APKWS has been successfully tested and is now being deployed in combat in the Red Sea to counter Houthi UAVs.

However, the video also clearly shows the weakness of Hellfire when used in air defense. The bullet seems to only collide and create fragments without exploding, causing the target to not be completely destroyed. The Hellfire's fuse was originally designed for ground targets, so it is not optimal enough to destroy flying objects in the air.

The big question is: is it possible to fire at an object that is not clearly identified? In the Yemeni operational environment, where Houthi UAVs are constantly attacking, this decision may be based on an immediate threat assessment, but it is still controversial in principle.

In addition, the video released during the hearing on the strange object has made the public think of UFOs. In fact, it is likely just a UAV or cruise missile, but the poor image quality makes it look even stranger, thereby fueling further theories.

Moreover, this event also shows the transformation of the MQ-9 Reaper. From being a “ground predator”, it is gradually becoming a multi-purpose weapons platform, capable of dealing with aerial targets. In the context of UAVs becoming an increasingly serious threat, Reaper is expected to play a central role in future warfare.

Ultimately, whether the object in the video is a Houthi UAV or an inexplicable flying object, what is clear is that the US is making the most of the MQ-9 Reaper. Testing the Hellfire in air defense is not only a tactical exercise, but also opens up a new direction for drone warfare – where each UAV platform can be both offensive and defensive in the skies.

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