US EditionNavy MQ-4C Triton Suffers Class A Mishap
The loss marks the first known crash of the $240 million surveillance drone, and the Navy said no personnel were injured.
- The United States Navy officially confirmed the loss of an MQ-4C Triton surveillance drone that crashed on Thursday in the Persian Gulf while returning to Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy.
- Before disappearing from radar, the drone transmitted emergency signal 7700 and communication code 7400, then initiated a sharp descent from about 15 km to below 3 km over the Strait of Hormuz.
- The Navy classified the incident as a "Class A" mishap, indicating damage exceeding $2.5 million; Northrop Grumman's MQ-4C Triton costs an estimated $240 million, making the loss significant for the fleet of 20.
- Military observers known as Two Majors noted the loss of this electronic intelligence "bird" is not the first in the region, as the United States has lost more than 20 MQ-9 Reaper drones since March during the conflict with Iran.
- Operation Epic Fury has strained military assets, with CENTCOM reporting a blockade involving more than a dozen warships; a KC-135 refueling plane crashed in Iraq, killing all six crew members.
18 Articles
18 Articles
US Navy admits it lost a $240 million spy drone during the Iran war
The US Navy has confirmed the loss of an expensive spy drone amid the Iran war, its first known loss of this particular uncrewed aircraft. Naval Safety Command revealed in a new aviation mishaps report that an MQ-4C Triton crashed on April 9, with no injury to personnel. The document did not specify where the drone went down, citing operational security. Last week, an MQ-4C out of Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy was flying a mission over th…
US Navy reveals it lost a $240 million spy drone during the Iran war
An MQ-4C Triton drone crashed on April 9, the US military revealed this week.US Navy photoThe US Navy has confirmed the loss of its first-ever MQ-4C spy drone, which costs roughly $240 million.A new Navy mishap report said the drone crashed earlier in April during the US-Iran war.An MQ-4C had disappeared from flight-tracking sites last week, though its fate was unknown.The US Navy has confirmed the loss of an expensive spy drone amid the Iran wa…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 75% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
