FA-18F Super Hornets, from the Black Knights of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, launch from the flight deck of the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Arabian Gulf, July 29
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, AP, 15 August 2017 — An unarmed Iranian drone shadowed a U.S. aircraft carrier at night and came close enough toF-18 fighter jets to put the lives of American pilots at risk, the Navy said Tuesday, reporting the second such tense encounter within a week. Iran's Revolutionary Guard said the U.S. safety concerns were unfounded.
The Iranian Sadegh drone flew without any warning lights Sunday night while shadowing the USS Nimitz, said Lt. Ian McConnaughey, a spokesman for the Bahrain-based 5th Fleet.
The drone did not respond to repeated radio calls and came within 1,000 feet (300 meters) of U.S. fighters, he said.
That 'created a dangerous situation with the potential for collision and is not in keeping with international maritime customs and laws,' McConnaughey said in a statement.
The drone was unarmed, the lieutenant said, though that model can carry missiles.
No comments:
Post a Comment