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US MQ‑9 Reaper Crashes Off South Korea’s West Coast; No Injuries, Investigation Underway

11:18 AM, 11/25/2025
US MQ‑9 Reaper Crashes Off South Korea’s West Coast; No Injuries, Investigation Underway

An MQ‑9 Reaper assigned to Kunsan Air Base crashed off South Korea’s west coast near Maldo‑Ri Island during a routine mission; there were no injuries or property damage. The drone belonged to the newly activated 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron and the cause of the crash is under investigation. With a range exceeding 1,600 miles and aerial refueling capability, MQ‑9s extend US surveillance and strike reach across the region. A 2022 Congressional Research Service report found MQ‑9s have a higher rate of costly mishaps compared with manned aircraft.

An MQ‑9 Reaper drone assigned to the US Air Force crashed early Monday off South Korea’s west coast while conducting a routine mission near Maldo‑Ri Island, the Air Force’s 8th Fighter Wing said.

The remotely piloted aircraft was stationed at Kunsan Air Base and belonged to the newly activated 431st Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron. Local media reported the drone had gone down; the Air Force said there were no injuries or property damage and that the cause is under investigation.

What happened

The incident occurred at about 4:35 a.m. local time. An Air Force statement described the event only as an "incident while performing a routine mission". Officials said recovery and investigative efforts are ongoing and provided no further details about the circumstances leading to the crash.

Location and strategic context

Kunsan Air Base is positioned in the western part of South Korea. The Chinese mainland lies roughly 250 miles from Kunsan, while the Bohai Sea — a frequent area for Chinese naval exercises — is about 600 miles away. The Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea is approximately 150 miles north of the base, and Taiwan is roughly 800 miles away. The aircraft’s location underscores the broad operational reach and strategic significance of MQ‑9 deployments in the region.

About the MQ‑9 Reaper

The MQ‑9 Reaper is an unmanned, single‑engine turboprop aircraft used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance as well as strike missions. According to Air Force specifications, Reapers have an extended range of more than 1,600 miles (about 2,575 kilometers) and can remain aloft for prolonged periods when refueled in flight. The Air Force has described MQ‑9 operations as supporting US‑Korean priorities across the Indo‑Pacific.

Safety record and costs

Unmanned aircraft operations have faced scrutiny over safety and reliability. A 2022 Congressional Research Service report found that MQ‑9s experienced roughly 15% more "Class A mishaps" — accidents causing more than $2.5 million in damage — than comparable manned military aircraft. The same report estimated the average unit cost of a Reaper at about $28 million in 2022 dollars.

“MQ‑9 operations will support US‑Korean priorities in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance across the Indo‑Pacific theater,” the Air Force said in a previous statement announcing deployments to the region.

The Air Force has not released additional technical details about the incident. Investigators are working to determine the cause.

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