US Navy prevents Iranian attempt to capture Saildrone Explorer USV
IRGCN support ship pictured towing the US Saildrone USV. (Photo: USN)
The USN has prevented an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) support ship from capturing a US 5th Fleet USV in the Arabian Gulf.
The USN said that while transiting international waters at around 11 PM local time on 29 August, IRGCN support ship Shahid Baziar was observed towing a Saildrone Explorer USV in an attempt to capture it.
The USN responded immediately with a nearby patrol coastal ship USS Thunderbolt and an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26.
Following USN intervention, the IRGCN support ship disconnected its tow line and later departed the area.
The USN said the USV Iranian forces attempted to capture was US government property equipped with sensors, radars, and cameras for navigation and data collection. It added the technology is commercially available and does not store classified or sensitive information.
A day after the incident, Austal USA and Saildrone announced a strategic partnership to combine the former's manufacturing capabilities with the latter’s USV technology.
Austal USA said the partnership provided the USN and other customers ‘a cutting-edge solution for maritime domain awareness, hydrographic survey, and other missions requiring persistent wide area coverage.’
Austal will begin manufacturing the first Saildrone Surveyor vehicles for the USN in October this year.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Survey Copter enters crowded lightweight tactical drone market
The company is hoping the Capa-X VTOL fixed-wing drone's modularity and French supply chain will help it stand out against competitors.
-
Baykar offers first look at Bayraktar TB3 ahead of UCAV's first flight
Turkish UAV manufacturer Baykar has released images of the in-development Bayraktar TB3 before its imminent first flight.
-
TAI debuts Anka-3 flying wing combat drone
The UCAV is designed to operate alongside crewed fighter jets such as Turkey’s future TF-X.
-
Aeronautics inks agreement for producing Orbiter 4 UAVs in Thailand
Aeronautics has expanded its Asia-Pacific operations, signing a collaboration agreement with RV Connex to produce the Orbiter 4 UAV in Thailand.
-
Royal Navy selects Animal Dynamics parafoil UAV for second phase of Heavy Lift challenge
With a payload capacity of 135kg, the Stork STM can fly up to 400km using a parafoil wing to generate lift.