US confirms losing $238mn MQ-4C Triton drone

The US Navy has officially confirmed the loss of an MQ-4C Triton high-altitude surveillance drone following a “mishap” over the Persian Gulf last week. The incident involving the $238 million platform, one of the most advanced intelligence assets in the American arsenal, occurred during a period of high regional sensitivity and a fragile ceasefire with Iran.

According to a report from the Naval Safety Command released on Tuesday, the aircraft crashed on April 9. The Navy categorised the event as a “Class A mishap," a designation reserved for incidents resulting in more than $2 million in property damage or the total loss of an aircraft, reports Firstpost.