Used by Houthi-aligned forces in the 2014 Yemen Civil War as a reconnaissance UAV; UN reporting identifies Samad-1 as the reconnaissance variant of the Samad family and says Samad drones were manufactured inside Houthi-held territory.
Role detailsAircraft & UAVs
Samad-1 UAV
The Samad-1 is the baseline reconnaissance member of the Houthi Samad UAV family, publicly unveiled in Sana'a in July 2019. Open-source technical analysis estimates a 3.5 m wingspan and about 460 km range, placing it at the surveillance end of the family's long-range drone line.
Role in Conflicts
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- Yemen
- Built by
- Houthi movement
- Type
- Surveillance and reconnaissance UAV
- Service note
- 2014 Yemen Civil War, 2019-present
- Designer
- Houthi military-industrial network
- Designed
- By July 2019
- Unit cost
- Not publicly documented
- Produced
- By July 2019-present
- Number built
- Unknown
Specifications
- Wingspan
- About 3.5 m
- Range
- About 460 km
- Role
- Surveillance and reconnaissance
- Configuration
- Fixed-wing UAV with a pusher propeller and V-tail
Documented Profile
Samad-1 is the reconnaissance baseline in the Houthi Samad line. The sources are consistent on its role, but they also show how quickly the family moved toward larger and longer-range variants.
| Fact | What the sources support | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Public debut | Houthis unveiled the Samad family in Sana'a in July 2019. | Houthis Unveil New Ballistic Missile, Drones |
| Documented role | UN reporting identifies Samad-1 as the reconnaissance variant of the family. | UN Panel of Experts on Yemen, S/2020/326 |
| Technical estimate | Open-source analysis estimates a 3.5 m wingspan and about 460 km range. | Flight Performance Analysis of the Samad Attack Drones Operated by Houthi Armed Forces |
Variants
- Samad-1
- Samad-2
- Samad-3
Samad Family Variants
The Samad-1 sits beside the later Samad-2 and Samad-3 variants in the same Houthi UAV family.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Larger family variant | The Science & Global Security analysis treats Samad-2 as the larger family member and estimates a 4.5 m wingspan with reconnaissance or explosive payload options. Sources: Flight Performance Analysis of the Samad Attack Drones Operated by Houthi Armed Forces |
 | Extended-range family variant | The same analysis describes Samad-3 as a modified Samad-2 with an external fuel tank that extends the family's range. Sources: Flight Performance Analysis of the Samad Attack Drones Operated by Houthi Armed Forces |
Timeline
Samad-1 UAV Key Events
Publicly unveiled in Sana'a
CSIS reporting on the Houthi drone presentation says the Samad family was unveiled in Sana'a in July 2019, placing Samad-1 into public view as the reconnaissance model of the line.
Sources: Houthis Unveil New Ballistic Missile, Drones
UN panel identifies the reconnaissance variant
The UN Panel of Experts on Yemen identifies Samad-1 as the reconnaissance variant of the Samad family and says Samad UAVs were manufactured inside Houthi-held territory.
Sources: UN Panel of Experts on Yemen, S/2020/326
Media
Samad-1 UAV Images
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
UN Panel of Experts on Yemen, S/2020/326Publisher: United Nations Security Council | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War conflict-use: used by Houthi-aligned forces; the report identifies Samad-1 as the reconnaissance variant of the Samad family and says Samad UAVs are manufactured inside Houthi-held territory. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Flight Performance Analysis of the Samad Attack Drones Operated by Houthi Armed ForcesPublisher: Science & Global Security | Note: Supports Samad-1 technical data, including reconnaissance role, wingspan, estimated range, and the broader Houthi-operated Samad family context. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Houthis Unveil New Ballistic Missile, DronesPublisher: CSIS Missile Threat | Note: Supports Houthi public unveiling of the Samad-1 in Sana'a in July 2019. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Samad-1 UAV (01).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports the primary image and licensing context for the Samad-1 UAV. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Samad-1 UAV (02).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance and licensing context for the Samad-1 UAV. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Samad-1 UAV in flight.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance and licensing context for the Samad-1 UAV. | Accessed: 2026-06-20