US Military Destroys Houthi Missiles & Drones On The Ground Before Take-Off

Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow

On the evening of April 13 and the morning of April 14, 2024, Iran and its proxies launched more than 300 air threats from Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen, en route to Israel. These threats included over 110 medium-range ballistic missiles, over 30 land attack cruise missiles, and 150 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). In response, U.S. forces in the Middle East, at the direction of the president and in support of Israel’s defense, intercepted dozens of these missiles and UAVs.

Interestingly, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces, supported by the U.S. Navy destroyers USS Arleigh Burke and USS Carney, currently assigned to the European Command Area of Responsibility (AOR), successfully engaged and destroyed more than 80 one-way attack UAVs and at least six ballistic missiles intended to strike Israel from Iran and Yemen.

Pentagon press secretary, Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder added, saying;

“…a ballistic missile on its launcher vehicle and seven UAVs were destroyed on the ground in Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen before their launch.”

The successful interception of these threats can be attributed to the technological advantages of the U.S. defense systems. The U.S. and Israel’s defense systems are equipped with advanced technologies to counter air threats effectively. These systems include the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow missile defense systems.

The Iron Dome system is engineered to detect and neutralize short-range rockets and artillery projectiles launched from 4 to 70 kilometers away. Meanwhile, David’s Sling targets enemy aircraft, drones, tactical ballistic missiles, and medium to long-range rockets and cruise missiles. The Arrow system specializes in intercepting ballistic missiles.