**Breaking News: U.S. Navy Strikes Back as Houthi Drones Threaten Red Sea Trade**

In an escalating maritime conflict, the U.S. Navy has launched a fierce counter-offensive against Houthi drone attacks in the Red Sea, a critical artery for global trade valued at over $1 trillion annually. As Houthi forces, backed by Iran, unleash a torrent of advanced drones targeting commercial vessels, the Navy’s response has turned the waters into a battleground.

Recent operations have seen the USS Mason and USS Gravaly successfully neutralize multiple Houthi drones without firing a shot, employing cutting-edge electronic warfare systems to jam enemy signals and disrupt their operations. The stakes are alarmingly high; the Houthis have demonstrated an alarming capability to strike deep into Red Sea shipping lanes, with drones capable of traveling over 900 miles.

The Navy is not just relying on electronic warfare. In a dramatic shift, they have also deployed the EA-18G Growler, the most advanced electronic attack aircraft, to jam Houthi communications and protect allied shipping. The Growler has already claimed victories against enemy drones and radar systems, showcasing the Navy’s commitment to staying one step ahead.

However, the relentless Houthi onslaught has pushed the Navy into its most intense engagements since World War II. With reports of sailors on the USS Leon shooting down 18 drones in a single engagement, the pressure is mounting. The Navy has fired more air defense missiles in the past 15 months than in the last three decades combined, a staggering statistic that underscores the urgency of the situation.

As the conflict intensifies, the Department of Defense is urgently seeking innovative solutions from Silicon Valley to develop cost-effective defenses against the swarm of Houthi drones. The Defense Innovation Unit has issued a call for prototypes that could provide a reliable kinetic response without the exorbitant costs associated with traditional missile systems.

With the Houthi threat looming larger than ever, the U.S. Navy’s Operation Prosperity Guardian is in full swing, aiming to protect vital shipping lanes and maintain freedom of navigation. As tensions rise, the world watches closely—will the Navy’s strategies prove effective in quelling this modern maritime menace?