A US Navy surveillance drone, MQ-4C, disappeared over the Strait of Hormuz today - shortly after declaring an in-flight emergency alert.
According to reports, the drone had completed roughly a three-hour surveillance of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz and appeared to be returning to its base at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy. It took a slight turn towards Iran when it sent code 7700 (for general emergency) and started descending. The uncrewed aircraft was tracked rapidly losing altitude before it disappeared. It is not clear whether the drone crashed or was shot down.
The disappearance of the drone comes two days after the US and Iran agreed to a ceasefire, with Iran agreeing to reopen Hormuz for shipping traffic.
The MQ-4C Triton is US' most expensive aircraft, worth over $200 million.
Unlike traditional aircraft, the Triton provides long-hour strategic surveillance over chokepoints. It is engineered for persistent, large-scale maritime surveillance, frequently serving as the high-altitude eyes for P-8A Poseidon patrol planes. The drones have been positioned for the US Central Command area over the Gulf region.