In a harrowing encounter off the coast of Yemen, a U.S. Navy MH-60 Romeo helicopter successfully neutralized a Houthi drone, marking a pivotal moment in aerial defense. At 0917 local time, the crew was alerted to an unidentified contact—later identified as a SAMOD 3 drone—approaching the USS Gravely, a billion-dollar warship. With mere seconds to act, the crew sprang into action, employing advanced radar and thermal imaging systems to confirm the threat.

As the drone barreled toward the warship at 270 knots, the helicopter’s tactical operator worked feverishly to secure a positive ID. With the drone displaying no civilian transponder and exhibiting evasive maneuvers, the crew had to act decisively. “Gravely, this is Venom 04. Positive ID on hostile drone,” the pilot reported, requesting weapons free.

The door gunner, adrenaline surging, prepared the GAU-21 machine gun. With the drone now visible, the gunner squeezed off a burst, striking the UAV and sending it spiraling into the sea. “Target destroyed,” the pilot confirmed, but the victory was short-lived as radar picked up additional threats on the horizon.

Just ten minutes later, the crew’s vigilance paid off as a missile warning blared—an incoming threat from a nearby launch platform. In a heart-stopping moment, the helicopter deployed countermeasures, successfully diverting the missile and avoiding catastrophe.

As the crew resumed their patrol, they remained on high alert, knowing that the Houthi drone threat was far from over. This encounter underscores the escalating tensions in the region, with U.S. forces facing increasingly sophisticated aerial threats. The Navy’s swift response not only protected their assets but showcased the advanced capabilities of modern military technology in a rapidly evolving battlefield.