Second Iranian UAV Incident In A Week "Unsafe and Unprofessional"

Cover image: US Department of Defense library.

The flight behaviour of a drone around a US aircraft carrier has been described as "unsafe and professional".

An Iranian UAV came within 1,000 feet of aircraft working with the USS Nimitz while in international waters of the central Arabian Gulf, according to the US Department of Defense.

It comes less than a week after a similar incident, when an Iranian drone allegedly came within 100 feet of a F/A-18E attempting to land on the same aircraft carrier, while in international airspace in the central Persian Gulf.

"An Iranian QOM-1/Sadegh-1 conducted an unsafe and unprofessional approach of USS Nimitz (CVN 68), during fixed wing flight operations, while the aircraft carrier was operating in international waters of the Central Arabian Gulf," said spokesman, Lt Ian McConnaughey.

"Despite repeated radio calls to establish communications and remain clear, the QOM-1's controlling station was unresponsive and the UAV did not use any aircraft navigation lights while it made several passes in close proximity to Nimitz and its escort ships."

Lt McConnaughey went on to say the failure of the UAV to use navigation lights "created a dangerous situation with the potential for collision and is not in keeping with international maritime customs and laws".

It follows another incident last month, when US Navy ship USS Thunderbolt launched warning fire at an Iranian patrol vessel in the Persian Gulf.

Officials said the Iranians did not respond to warnings from the American vessel, including the use of flares and a whistle, which led the US navy to fire warning shots into the water.