Iran attempted to capture a US Navy Unmanned Vessel in the Persian Gulf

An American unmanned surface vessel was almost captured by the Iranian Navy in the Persian Gulf.

The US Armed Forces reported about this.

The U.S. Navy prevented a support ship of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) from capturing an unmanned surface vessel operated by the U.S. 5th Fleet in the Persian Gulf on August 30.

While transiting international waters around 11 p.m. (local time) on August 29, U.S. 5th Fleet observed IRGCN support ship Shahid Baziar.

The Iranian ship was towing the Saildrone Explorer unmanned surface vessel (USV).

U.S. Navy USS Thunderbolt (PC 12) patrol coastal ship was operating nearby and immediately responded.

U.S. 5th Fleet also launched an MH-60S Sea Hawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26, based in Bahrain.

The actions taken by U.S. naval forces in response resulted in the IRGCN vessel disconnecting the towing line to the USV and departing the area of the Persian Gulf.

U.S. 5th Fleet operates a network of manned and unmanned systems. The integration of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into fleet operations enhances maritime vigilance for U.S. forces and international partners in waters across the Middle East.

The Saildrone Explorer is an unmanned surface vessel that combines a wind power plant with solar-powered meteorological and oceanographic sensors. The vessel is designed to perform autonomous data collection missions over long distances in the harshest ocean conditions.

This vessel is 23 feet long and 16 feet high and is powered by wind energy. The vessel is equipped with a set of solar-powered sensors for monitoring the marine environment.

The Saildrone Explorer equipment also includes an advanced acoustic system and camera systems.