The Saildrone Explorer is an unmanned military vessel belonging to the US Navy’s 5th Fleet and used for intelligence gathering. And even if there are no humans on board this ship, this doesn’t mean it’s legal (in any possible sense) to steal things that belong to others.
Image credit: US Strategic Command
At around 11 a.m. on August 29, an incident occurred when an Iranian Navy ship attempted to steal the unmanned surface ship Saildrone Explorer. The effort was noticed immediately, and the US Thunderbolt II patrol boat and an MH-60S Sea Hawk attack helicopter from the 26th Marine Combat Helicopter Squadron were dispatched to intercept the sound. plot to capture the ship.
When confronted, the Iranian ship pulled out the towing cable and hurriedly left the area.
The US called the Iranian ship’s actions unprofessional and destabilizing. The incident has been reported by the press service of the United States Navy.
“The IRGCN’s actions are blatant, unjustified, and inconsistent with the conduct of a professional maritime force,” said Deputy Adm Brad Cooper, commander of US Naval Forces Central Command, Fleet. 5 the United States and the United States Maritime Forces said. “U.S. navies remain vigilant and will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows while promoting a rules-based international order throughout the region. “
***BREAK***#IranThe IRGC’s attempted to launch an unmanned surface ship Saildrone Explorer of the United States Navy (USV)
The US Navy patrol vessel, USS Thunderbolt (PC 12), intervened. Tow is released.
Nod @ryankakiuchan pic.twitter.com/lrDdZ6RWLj
– HI Sutton (@CovertShores) August 30, 2022
In the same statement, the US representative said that Iran is showing a lack of professionalism and a role in destabilizing the Middle East.
The Iranian Navy’s Shahid Baziar towed an unmanned American Saildrone Explorer in the Arabian Gulf on August 30.
USS Thunderbolt, operating nearby, immediately responded. The US 5th Fleet also launched the MH-60S Sea Hawk from the Sea Combat Helicopter Squadron, based in Bahrain. pic.twitter.com/uzX45J4l8L
– Abhishek Jha (@abhishekjha157) August 30, 2022
The Saildrone Explorer drone is powered by solar panels. It is operated by the 5th Fleet of the United States Navy. In 2021, it was sent on its first mission in the Persian Gulf north of the Red Sea. The mission is designed to raise awareness of the maritime domain by combining sensors and unmanned technology to gather intelligence.
It is believed that the command post noticed an unusual movement of the ship, which allowed them to react in time to the plot to steal the Saildrone.
