Conflict archive

Red Sea Crisis Weapons and Equipment

U.S.-led and partner operations against Houthi attacks on military, commercial, and civilian vessels around the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and Gulf of Aden.

This archive tracks systems documented in U.S.-led operations and Houthi attacks connected to the Red Sea shipping crisis.

Entries focus on directly sourced aircraft, missiles, air defenses, drones, and strike systems used by either side.

4 weapon systems

EA-18G Growler, Carrier-capable airborne electronic attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsEA-18G GrowlerCarrier-capable airborne electronic attack aircraftSide: United States-led coalitionBuilt: Boeing / United StatesThe EA-18G Growler is a Boeing-built electronic attack derivative of the two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet, fielded to jam, detect, and attack hostile radars, communications, and air-defense networks while retaining missile carriage for suppression missions. U.S. Navy and Australian Growlers provide carrier or land-based electronic warfare support, with recent documented use in Operation Inherent Resolve, Red Sea operations against Houthi forces, and the U.S.-Iran strike context.

B-2 Spirit, Low-observable strategic heavy bomber, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsB-2 SpiritLow-observable strategic heavy bomberSide: United States-led coalitionBuilt: Northrop Grumman / United StatesThe B-2 Spirit is a U.S. Air Force low-observable strategic heavy bomber built by Northrop Grumman for long-range conventional and nuclear strike. Its flying-wing design, intercontinental range, and ability to carry heavy precision weapons make it a specialized option for defended or deeply buried targets, with directly documented recent combat use against ISIS camps in Libya, Houthi weapons sites in Yemen, and Iranian military and nuclear targets.

MQ-9 Reaper, Medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicle, Aircraft & UAVs

Aircraft & UAVsMQ-9 ReaperMedium-altitude long-endurance unmanned combat aerial vehicleSide: United States-led coalitionBuilt: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. / United StatesThe MQ-9 Reaper is a General Atomics medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft built for persistent intelligence collection and precision strike. Larger and more powerful than the MQ-1 Predator, it combines satellite control, electro-optical and infrared sensors, laser designation, and weapons such as Hellfire missiles and guided bombs, making it a recurring U.S. and coalition platform in counterterrorism, maritime-security, and regional-strike operations.

BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missile, Ship- and submarine-launched land-attack cruise missile, Artillery

ArtilleryBGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack MissileShip- and submarine-launched land-attack cruise missileSide: United States-led coalitionBuilt: Raytheon Missiles & Defense / United StatesThe BGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missile is a U.S. all-weather, long-range subsonic cruise missile used by naval forces for deep precision strikes from surface ships and submarines. Modern Block IV and Block V weapons combine low-altitude flight, GPS-aided navigation, terrain matching, and in-flight retargeting, with recent documented use against Houthi targets in the Red Sea Crisis and Iranian nuclear facilities during Operation Midnight Hammer.