U.S. forces destroyed an Iranian Shahed-171 Simorgh stealth drone this week, a platform widely regarded as one of Tehran’s most advanced unmanned systems.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) released video of the strike showing the Shahed-171, notable for its low-observable flying-wing design that closely resembles the U.S. RQ-170 Sentinel.

“Now in our 5th week of the campaign, it is my operational assessment that we are making undeniable progress. We don’t see their navy sailing. We don’t see their aircraft flying, and their air and missile defense systems have largely been destroyed.” – Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM… pic.twitter.com/cTHgYJDxCF

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 2, 2026

“Now in our 5th week of the campaign, it is my operational assessment that we are making undeniable progress. We don’t see their navy sailing. We don’t see their aircraft flying, and their air and missile defense systems have largely been destroyed,” CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said in the post’s caption. 

The Shahed‑171 is widely believed to be derived from the U.S. RQ‑170 Sentinel, a stealth reconnaissance drone Iran said it captured in 2011.

The Shahed-171 is intended for reconnaissance and strike missions. 

The video also depicts the destruction of two additional targets: a light tactical vehicle and a surface-to-air missile launcher, potentially a Servom Khordad or Ra’ad system. The launcher is believed to be an Iranian variant of the Russian Buk-M2 medium-range SAM system.

On Sunday, CENTCOM also released footage showing it struck Iranian attack drones used by the regime to threaten Americans and target civilians in neighboring countries. 

U.S. forces are taking out attack drones used by the Iranian regime to threaten Americans and indiscriminately target civilians in neighboring countries. pic.twitter.com/T9C2cKFK0V

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) April 5, 2026