“From this lofty perch, the huge UAV soared southeast, leisurely circumnavigating the narrow Straits of Hormuz, as plotted here, it sensors scanning everything beneath it. The long-endurance drone could methodically survey up to 2.7 million square miles in twenty-four hours with its powerful multi-function radar, all the while transmitting that data back for analysis.
Periodically, the drone’s operator may have nosed it down to lower altitudes so the sensor operator could scan a ship of interest with its infrared sensor turret, or use its electromagnetic ESM sensors to triangulate the positions of nearby radar transmitters”
I think there was a reason this drone was shot down and not just simple air space violation.
Remember when the tensions all originally started? Before tanker attacks?
US had “intelligence” that Iranian dhows were being loaded with missiles. I think this drone or type like it was what was able to locate them and provide the intelligence.
I think being exposed like that took Iran by surprise and they immead began wondering how that intelligence was attained.
You don’t launch a drone 100,000 feet in the air to check to make sure oil tankers and ships in the PG are “okay”. The PG is one of the most heavily patrolled areas so no pirate or criminal organization is going to be using that area in times of tension.
This drone specifically spied on Iranian assets naval and land. I think Iran figured it out and as soon as it violated airspace shot it down to send a message.
