Pentagon Pushes Back on Iranian Video Claiming Destruction of Saildrone Vessel

A clip circulating on social media this week that appeared to show an Iranian attack on an American Saildrone unmanned surface vessel near the Strait of Hormuz has been disputed by U.S. officials, who say no such loss occurred.

The footage, released by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), showed a burning vessel identified as a Saildrone uncrewed surface vehicle (USV). U.S. officials told Military Times that the claim does not hold up. “All of our Saildrones are accounted for and fully operational,” one official said.

Second Incident in a Week

The disputed video follows a separate episode days earlier, in which Iran reported capturing an Anduril Dive-LD, an autonomous underwater vehicle built for long-range surveillance and other undersea missions. U.S. Navy Capt. Tim Hawkins of U.S. Central Command told Reuters the recovered vehicle was an older model that carried no classified sonar or radar equipment and did not collect sensitive data.

Analysts suggested the capture carries more symbolic than technical weight. “Of course Iran will take every opportunity as a propaganda win,” said Farzin Nadimi, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, though he noted the IRGC could study the vehicle to inform its own designs.

Saildrone’s Growing Naval Portfolio

The dispute comes as Saildrone (VOYG) continues expanding its work with the U.S. Navy. In August, the Navy awarded the company a $16.3 million task order to extend operations of its Voyager fleet in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. Shares of VOYG closed recently at $35.43, up 3.65% on the day from a prior close of $34.18, valuing the company at roughly $2.16 billion.

Since 2023, Saildrone’s USVs have operated alongside the Navy in support of the Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S), which coordinates counter-narcotics efforts, and U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. Navy Fourth Fleet. The 33-foot Voyager is built for persistent surface and subsurface surveillance, nearshore mapping, and seafloor characterization, and can remain on station for months at a time.

What to watch

• Any further U.S. Central Command statements on uncrewed vessel activity in the region.
• Saildrone’s next earnings report and updates on Navy task-order execution.
• Contract announcements for Voyager fleet operations following the August award.

Source: original release