New Delhi:
A US Navy surveillance drone, MQ-4C Triton – the US’ costliest plane – disappeared over the Strait of Hormuz immediately, shortly after declaring an in-flight emergency alert. LIVE UPDATES
According to studies, the drone had accomplished roughly a three-hour surveillance of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz and seemed to be returning to its base at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Italy. Online flight monitoring web site, Flightradar24, confirmed the drone took a slight flip in the direction of Iran when it despatched code 7700 (for basic emergency) and began descending. The uncrewed plane was tracked quickly dropping altitude earlier than it disappeared.
Photo Credit: Flightradar24
It is just not clear whether or not 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 transport visitors.
All about MQ-4C Triton
The MQ-4C Triton is price over Rs $200 million, positioned for the US Central Command space over the Gulf area.
Unlike conventional plane, the Triton gives long-hour strategic surveillance over chokepoints. It is engineered for persistent, large-scale maritime surveillance, steadily serving because the high-altitude eyes for P-8A Poseidon patrol planes. Triton is the one autonomous excessive altitude, lengthy endurance (HALE) maritime plane able to working at altitudes above 50,000 ft, for 24-plus hours with a spread of seven,400 nautical miles.
Also Read: Netanyahu Clears Negotiations With Lebanon, Talks In US Next Week
As of 2025, the US Navy had 20 MQ-4C Triton drones with plans to accumulate seven extra, studies stated.
The Cost of US’ Iran War
The US is spending $10,300 (about Rs 9.8 lakh) each second in its warfare. According to the info from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), munitions and missiles account for the most important share, costing roughly $320 million per day (round Rs 3,040 crore), or 36%.
Air operations are estimated at $245 million per day (about Rs 2,327.5 crore), representing 27.5% of day by day spending, whereas naval operations eat roughly $155 million per day (round Rs 1,472.5 crore).
Missile defence techniques, similar to THAAD, Patriot batteries, and Aegis BMD intercepts, account for about $95 million per day (Rs 902.5 crore), or 10.7% of the day by day expenditure. Intelligence and cyber operations price roughly $45 million per day (round Rs 427.5 crore), and personnel and logistics account for about $30 million per day (round Rs 285 crore).
