Ansar Allah website - Report -6 Rabi' al-Thani 1448 AH
 

The air defenses managed, on Wednesday evening, to shoot down a U.S.-made RQ-20 reconnaissance aircraft in Hajjah Governorate.

A special military source told Ansar Allah website that the air defenses managed to shoot down a U.S.-made RQ-20 reconnaissance aircraft in the skies over the Haradh front in Hajjah Governorate, using an appropriate weapon.

The “RQ-20 Puma” aircraft is produced by the U.S. company AeroVironment, headquartered in California. The aircraft’s main mission is surveillance and the collection of intelligence information using an electro-optical camera and an infrared camera.

The remotely piloted aircraft operates alongside infantry forces and provides them with full coverage within the area of operations. It can also operate from aboard some surface ships.

The aircraft had previously been selected—in 2008—by the U.S. Special Operations Command. In March 2012, the U.S. Army ordered the Puma All Environment AE, known as the RQ-20A.

In April of the same year, the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force ordered similar quantities of RQ-20A units. Each RQ-20A military system consists of three aerial vehicles and two ground stations.

The Puma AE can operate under harsh weather conditions, including temperatures ranging from -29 to 49 degrees Celsius, wind speeds of up to 25 knots (46 km/h), and one inch of rainfall per hour.

This achievement comes hours after the air defenses shot down a Saudi F-15 warplane in Marib Governorate and shot down a “Wing Loong 2” aircraft belonging to the criminal Saudi enemy in the same governorate.