A $240 million US drone crashed in the Strait of Hormuz!

A sophisticated and expensive US surveillance drone, worth about $240 million, has crashed in the Strait of Hormuz. The US Navy said the accident occurred during a routine patrol mission in the Persian Gulf.

The crashed drone was an MQ-4C Triton model—known for its ability to conduct surveillance from the sky for long periods of time. Many people also refer to it as a ‘winged satellite’ because it can fly 24 hours a day and night.

The drone was built by the US defense technology company Northrop Grumman. It was operated from the Naval Air Station Sigonella naval base on the island of Sicily, Italy.

According to the US Navy, on April 9, after completing a three-hour surveillance mission, the drone suddenly started sending distress signals on its way back to the base. All communication with it was lost shortly after.

It is initially believed that the drone suddenly lost control and began to descend rapidly while at an altitude of about 50,000 feet. It has not been found since.

However, the United States has not yet provided any concrete information on whether the drone was the victim of an attack. The incident occurred in the Strait of Hormuz area, which is a very important strategic route for global energy supplies.

Notably, the accident occurred just two days after the recent temporary ceasefire between the United States and Iran. As a result, analysts believe that there is a risk of renewed tension in the region.