Iran's air defense system continues to achieve record numbers in shooting down American drones.
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The Iranian Revolutionary Guard announced the evening before last that another MQ-9A Reaper attack reconnaissance drone had been hit, making it the 55th drone of this type to be hit since the outbreak of the war with the United States.
At 4:30 a.m. Tehran time, the US military lost another expensive MQ-9 Reaper reconnaissance and attack drone over the Strait of Hormuz, according to Pars Today. The agency reported that the Iranian Aerospace Force shot down the drone using air defense systems as part of a "special covert operation."
Estimates suggest that the price of this fully equipped American aircraft may exceed $40 to $50 million, while other sources indicate that prices for less equipped versions start from about $30 million.
Russian military expert Yuri Lyamin pointed out that the American aircraft was hit, as in previous incidents, by a cruise air defense missile of the "358" or "359" type.
The expert touched on the specifications of these two types of undeclared Iranian ammunition, explaining that the first model, "358", proved its effectiveness during combat operations in Yemen and Iraq, while the second model, "359", is newer and less well-known.
He added that the new model has a greater range exceeding 150 kilometers, compared to about 100 kilometers for the previous model. The engagement ceiling has also increased from 8,500 to 11,000 meters, and its speed has increased by 300 kilometers per hour to reach 1,000 kilometers per hour.
According to the expert, the capabilities of these missiles are no less than the latest developments in NATO countries, as they are equipped with a multi-spectral thermal seeker, which has high resistance to jamming methods, and is capable of detecting aircraft designed with stealth technologies.
The "358" missile is estimated to weigh between 50 and 58 kilograms, of which 10 kilograms are for the warhead. The improved version is larger in size and weight, which allows it to be equipped with a more powerful warhead.
Experts from various countries believe that these anti-aircraft munitions are highly effective, which explains why a number of manufacturers are currently developing similar munitions.
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