A US Navy MQ-4C Triton drone flew a surveillance mission lasting more than 12 hours off the coast of Cuba, near Havana and Guantánamo Bay.
According to a report by the website Defence Blog, the aircraft, using the callsign BLKCAT6, operated at an altitude of 49,000 feet and a ground speed close to 290 knots throughout the flight before returning to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida.
Tracking data showed that its route included multiple loops and back-and-forth tracks, indicating sustained monitoring of Cuban waters, with particular attention to areas near Havana and Guantánamo Bay, rather than a simple transit.
The MQ-4C Triton is a high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft built by Northrop Grumman for maritime surveillance. It is designed to remain airborne for extended periods, scanning large areas of ocean and coastline using onboard sensors.
This endurance allows the aircraft to monitor the same area for hours at a time. Instead of brief overflights, the MQ-4C Triton can build a continuous picture of activity, tracking movement on the surface and along the coast.
Its deployment in the Cuba region comes as US policies toward the country have shifted. Citing two sources familiar with the matter, the website USA Today reported that military planning for a possible Pentagon-led operation involving Cuba is being developed.
In response, the Pentagon said it plans for a range of contingencies and remains prepared to carry out the president’s orders if given. The statement, however, did not provide details on specific plans.
Photo: USN. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
