War Zone reports the US Air Force is urgently seeking to replenish its MQ-9 inventory after losing nearly 30 drones in operations against Iran and suffering additional losses in missions targeting Houthi forces. The MQ-9A is no longer in production; the Air Force plans to buy unused stock from General Atomics but fewer than 10 aircraft are available. The MQ-9 fleet has fallen from 165 at the start of FY2026 to about 135.

2026-06-06

War Zone reports the US Air Force is urgently seeking to replenish its MQ-9 inventory after losing nearly 30 drones in operations against Iran and suffering additional losses in missions targeting Houthi forces. The MQ-9A is no longer in production; the Air Force plans to buy unused stock from General Atomics but fewer than 10 aircraft are available. The MQ-9 fleet has fallen from 165 at the start of FY2026 to about 135.