US 5th Fleet Launches Drones to Monitor Arabian Peninsula Activities

The US 5th Fleet has deployed multidomain drones to the Middle East to assist crewed vessels in safeguarding the Arabian Peninsula.

The operation supports the monitoring of Iranian Navy and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps activities due to unlawful seizing of internationally-flagged merchant ships recorded in recent months.

Integrating Unmanned Systems

For the mission, seven 5th Fleet task forces launched 12 drone systems to perform routine patrols and track the ships and small boats under concern.

Platforms used included unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), underwater vehicles (UUVs), and surface vehicles (USVs).

231006-N-NO146-1004 STRAIT OF HORMUZ (Oct. 6, 2023) An undated still image released on Oct. 6 from video taken by an Arabian Fox MAST-13 of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy patrol speedboat in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. 5th Fleet forces recently conducted an operation integrating unmanned platforms with traditionally crewed ships and aircraft to conduct enhanced maritime security operations in the waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula. Seven task forces falling under U.S. 5th Fleet integrated 12 different unmanned platforms with manned ships for “manned-unmanned teaming” operations tracking Iranian Navy and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) ships and small boats over several days during routine patrols in and around the Strait of Hormuz. (U.S. Navy photo) — A photo of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy patrol speedboat taken from the Arabian Peninsula by a US 5th Fleet unmanned system. Photo: US Navy

“We have been operating UAVs and UUVs in the region for years,” 5th Fleet Maritime Operations Director Capt. Joe Baggett stated. “Adding our new USVs, and then integrating all of these platforms into fleet operations, is how we expect to fly and sail well into the future.”

Adding ‘Eyes’ on the Region

Personnel, vessels, and aircraft from the US Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard were involved during the Arabian Peninsula monitoring operation.

Participating groups included Task Forces 51/5 (Amphibious/Marine), 52 (Mine Countermeasures), 53 (Logistics), 55 (Surface Warfare), 56 (Expeditionary), 57 (Patrol/Reconnaissance), and the newly-established Task Force 59 (Unmanned/Artificial Intelligence).

231006-N-NO146-1003 STRAIT OF HORMUZ (Oct. 6, 2023) An undated still image released on Oct. 6 from video taken by an Arabian Fox MAST-13 unmanned surface vessel of an Iranian Navy AB-212 helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. 5th Fleet forces recently conducted an operation integrating unmanned platforms with traditionally crewed ships and aircraft to conduct enhanced maritime security operations in the waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula. Seven task forces falling under U.S. 5th Fleet integrated 12 different unmanned platforms with manned ships for “manned-unmanned teaming” operations tracking Iranian Navy and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) ships and small boats over several days during routine patrols in and around the Strait of Hormuz. (U.S. Navy photo) — A photo of Iranian Navy AB-212 helicopter taken from the Arabian Peninsula by a US 5th Fleet unmanned system. Photo: US Navy

“The integration of new, multidomain unmanned platforms into routine fleet operations provides more ‘eyes on the water,’ enhancing maritime domain awareness and increasing deterrence in the region,” 5th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Brad Cooper explained.

The commander added that the drones contribute to sustaining “safe navigation and free flow of commerce” along the region’s critical chokepoints, especially across the Strait of Hormuz.

“This enhanced maritime security serves as a deterrent against malign activity and strengthens regional stability, which is good for everybody,” Cooper said.