U.S. Navy Confirms $240 Million Triton Drone Crash Near Strait of Hormuz

The U.S. Navy lost one of the world’s most advanced unmanned aircraft last week, after an MQ-4C "Triton" drone crashed over the Persian Gulf, the Navy announced Thursday. The incident occurred on April 9, just days after a temporary cease-fire with Iran took effect.

In an official statement, the Navy said the UAV disappeared from radar during its flight, and that the circumstances of the crash are still under investigation. It is not yet clear whether the loss of the drone was caused by an attack or a malfunction. The precise crash location was not released for "operational and security reasons".

According to a CNN report, the drone took off from Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily—a key U.S. Navy hub. Data indicate the UAV reached the Strait of Hormuz area, but after leaving the strait’s airspace it suddenly began descending from 15,240 meters to about 2,800 meters, then disappeared from radar.

The report added that "flight data show the Triton transmitted code 7400 during its flight, indicating a loss of link with the ground operator, and later code 7700—which signals an emergency". According to the data, the drone continued broadcasting an emergency signal until 10:12 (UTC), when contact was completely lost.

The MQ-4C "Triton" is considered one of the most advanced unmanned aircraft in the world for maritime intelligence-gathering. It is an especially rare asset—only about 20 units have been produced so far—and each is estimated to cost roughly $240 million, more than double the price of an advanced F-35 fighter jet.

Powered by a jet engine, the UAV can fly up to about 13,700 kilometers and remain airborne for more than 24 consecutive hours. Throughout the recent war, the United States has lost several high-value drones, but the loss of a "Triton" is particularly unusual because of its rarity and high cost.