Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Tuesday that they had captured a US underwater drone near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian state media identified the vessel as a Dive-LD, a large autonomous underwater vehicle developed by California-based defence company Anduril.
The Revolutionary Guards Navy described the vessel as a highly advanced unmanned system.
Iran Claims Capture of US Drone
The Revolutionary Guards said they intercepted the underwater vehicle at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian state media quoted the Guards as saying the submarine carried advanced technology.
The incident offers a rare glimpse into the growing use of autonomous underwater systems in military operations.
Pentagon Says Drone Malfunctioned
The Pentagon gave a different account of the incident.
A US defence official said an underwater drone had malfunctioned more than a day earlier.
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The official said the drone had been surveying regional waters in support of ongoing operations.
The Pentagon also said the vehicle was an older model. It did not collect sensitive information or carry classified sonar or radar equipment, according to the spokesperson.
Anduril Confirms Loss
Anduril confirmed that it had lost one of its underwater vehicles.
However, the company played down the significance of the incident.
An Anduril spokesperson said the Dive-LD is an “attritable autonomous system.” Such systems are designed to operate in dangerous environments where losing a vehicle is considered possible.
What Is the Dive-LD?
The Dive-LD is an autonomous underwater vehicle designed for several missions.
These include mine countermeasures, seabed mapping and intelligence gathering.
The system can also inspect underwater infrastructure. This includes cables and pipelines.
According to Anduril, the Dive-LD can operate for up to 10 days without returning to its base.
The vehicle can reportedly dive to depths of around 6,000 metres.
US military news outlet DefenseScoop reported in 2024 that each Dive-LD unit costs about $2.5 million.
US Expands Unmanned Naval Systems
The US military has been investing heavily in unmanned naval technology.
The systems include underwater and surface vessels.
Washington sees autonomous platforms as a cheaper way to monitor large areas of ocean.
They can also gather intelligence and track ships and submarines without placing sailors directly at risk.
