A US Navy surveillance drone, the MQ-4C Triton – America’s most expensive aircraft – went missing over the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, shortly after transmitting an in-flight emergency alert.
Flight tracking data indicates the unmanned aircraft had spent roughly three hours conducting surveillance over the Persian Gulf and the strategic waterway. It appeared to be heading back to its home base at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy when the signal was lost.
Online flight tracking platform Flightradar24 showed the drone making a slight turn towards Iran just before it broadcast code 7700, which signals a general emergency, and began descending. The aircraft was observed losing altitude rapidly before it vanished from radar, reports AFP.
Authorities have not yet determined whether the drone crashed or was brought down by hostile action.
The incident occurs only two days after the US and Iran reached a ceasefire agreement, under which Tehran consented to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping.
The MQ-4C Triton
Valued at over $200 million, the MQ-4C Triton is deployed under the US Central Command across the Gulf region.
Unlike piloted aircraft, the Triton specialises in prolonged strategic surveillance over maritime chokepoints. Engineered for sustained, large-scale maritime reconnaissance, it frequently serves as the high-altitude eyes for P-8A Poseidon patrol aircraft.
The Triton holds the distinction of being the only autonomous high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) maritime drone capable of flying above 50,000 feet for more than 24 hours, with an operational range of 7,400 nautical miles.
As of 2025, the US Navy operated 20 MQ-4C Triton drones, with plans to acquire an additional seven units, according to defence reports.
US-Iran war cost
US is currently spending $10,300 per second on its war effort. Data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reveals that munitions and missiles account for the largest expenditure, costing roughly $320 million per day, or 36 percent of daily spending.
Air operations are estimated at $245 million per day, or 27.5 percent, while naval operations consume around $155 million daily.
Missile defence systems – including THAAD, Patriot batteries, and Aegis BMD interceptors – account for about $95 million per day, or 10.7 percent.
Intelligence and cyber operations cost around $45 million per day, while personnel and logistics contribute about $30 million per day.
