US Navy MQ-4C Triton drone crashes over Persian Gulf
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- US Navy MQ-4C Triton drone reportedly crashed on April 9 after losing contact over the Persian Gulf.
- Aircraft valued at about $240 million disappeared after flying near the Strait of Hormuz.
A United States Navy surveillance drone has been reported crashed over the Persian Gulf, according to a Navy Safety Command report released Tuesday.
The aircraft, identified as an MQ-4C Triton, was last tracked on April 9 during a mission that began from Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy.
Flight data reviewed by CNN indicates the drone was operating over the Strait of Hormuz before it abruptly lost contact and disappeared from radar.
The Navy has not disclosed the exact crash location, citing operational security.
Sudden altitude drop before loss of contact
Tracking data from FlightRadar24 shows the unmanned aircraft descending sharply from around 50,000 feet to roughly 9,000 feet before it went off radar.
During the flight, the aircraft transmitted emergency squawk codes, including 7400, which indicates loss of communication, and later 7700, signaling an in-flight emergency.
The signals continued until approximately 10:12 a.m. UTC, when the drone vanished from tracking systems.
The cause of the incident remains unclear.
Strategic surveillance platform
The MQ-4C Triton is produced by Northrop Grumman and is designed for long-range maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
According to manufacturer data, it can remain airborne for more than 24 hours and cover distances of up to 8,500 miles.
Northrop Grumman describes it as one of the US Navy’s most advanced unmanned surveillance systems.
Rare and costly loss
The Triton is among the most expensive unmanned aircraft operated by the US military, valued at roughly $240 million per unit. Only about 20 have been produced, according to the company.
The US Navy, part of the United States Navy, has not provided further details on what caused the crash or whether recovery efforts are underway.
The incident highlights the risks faced by high-altitude surveillance systems operating in sensitive maritime corridors such as the Persian Gulf.
