DRONELEDGER / Press factsheet
Samad family
A compact selection from this profile, with sources and limits. Other configurations and additional measurements remain in the full profile.
The Houthi Samad family includes reconnaissance and one-way attack variants. A 2020 academic analysis estimates performance with explicit model uncertainty; Wilson Center’s later overview reports different variant limits. Calculations and reported capabilities are kept separate from demonstrated flights.[1][2]
Public-source profile. Performance claims are attributed; type links do not verify an incident identification.
Form, sound & identification limits
- The 887–989 km and 1,831–2,101 km intervals span medians from different analytical models. They are neither confidence intervals nor verified operating ranges. The study’s Samad-2 dimensions do not become dimensions for every Samad-1, -3 or -4.[1]
- Samad-1 has a reconnaissance role in the study, while Samad-2 and -3 are discussed as attack aircraft. Wilson’s 2024 overview is separate analysis, not a replication of the 2020 simulation or an independent test of each number.[1][2]
Shape or sound alone cannot identify a drone. Follow local public-safety alerts; do not approach wreckage.
Source notebook
- Voskuijl, Dekkers & Savelsberg / Science & Global Security · Flight Performance Analysis of the Samad Attack Drones · 2020 · pp. 115, 125
Publication date not stated · Source consulted: 2026-11-01 · Approximate / analyst compilation
- Wilson Center · Houthi Arsenal · variant-specific reported capabilities
2024-07-26 · Source consulted: 2026-11-01 · Approximate / analyst compilation
Cite this profile
DroneLedger. Samad-1 / Samad-2 / Samad-3 (Houthi). 2026-11-01. https://droneincidents.com/drones/samad-family/editions/2026-11-01/
Our text, data and schematic drawings: CC BY 4.0, credit DroneLedger and link to the profile. Linked publications and quoted passages keep their own rights.