American strategic reconnaissance unmanned system MQ-4C Triton disappeared over Persian Gulf after transmitting distress signal and loss of control, which could become first loss of this UAV in history, so what is currently known.
MQ-4C Triton strategic reconnaissance unmanned systems regularly conduct flights in the Middle East and specifically over Strait of Hormuz. During one such flight April 9, after strait inspection and monitoring, likely already en route back to Sigonella base in Italy, MQ-4C Triton with registration number 169804 transmitted emergency code 7700.
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Immediately after, it sharply changed course toward Persian Gulf and began rapidly descending. Within several minutes it descended from 50,000 feet (15.2 km) to just 10,000 feet (3 km). The War Zone collected information about this incident.
After such sharp altitude decrease, MQ-4C Triton suddenly disappeared from public flight tracking services, indicating disabled transponder. Also, reports appeared online that this MQ-4C Triton besides code 7700 first transmitted code 7400, meaning operator loss of unmanned system control and that it continues autonomous flight.
TWZ contacted U.S. Navy officials and command for additional information, but they declined comment. They also contacted U.S. Army Middle East command CENTCOM, but have not received response yet.
iranian sources currently also remain silent, though they would likely be first to announce Americans' loss of such important unmanned system as MQ-4C Triton. Overall, currently can only await additional incident information appearance.
It should be noted similar case occurred 6 days before Operation Epic Fury start over Strait of Hormuz. MQ-4C Triton also disappeared from online flight observation services then and transmitted code 7700. However, as later became clear, it managed to return to UAE airbase.
Therefore, not excluded that the new possible MQ-4C Triton loss case is just a malfunction and actually it already returned to airbase. However, if still considering the variant that MQ-4C Triton was lost, given available data, everything appears as if contact was lost, after which it began uncontrolled descent. Given it uses satellite communications antenna for communications, jamming control channel is almost impossible, suggesting mechanical equipment damage, consequently for example from anti-aircraft missile hit.
If MQ-4C Triton loss is confirmed, this will become first loss of this unmanned system in history since first flight in 2013. Although it should be noted that in 2019 over Strait of Hormuz, iran shot down RQ-4A Global Hawk BAMS-D, MQ-4C Triton prototype.
MQ-4C Triton itself is a special RQ-4 Global Hawk version designated for U.S. Navy use. Eight units have already been lost over 28 years since first flight in 1998 (not counting iran-shot-down RQ-4A Global Hawk BAMS-D).
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