According to information published by the US DoD on April 19, 2023, an unmanned surface vessel from the U.S. 5th Fleet journeyed through the Strait of Hormuz alongside two U.S. Coast Guard cutters.
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USCGC John Scheuerman (WPC 1146) and USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and transit the Strait of Hormuz with an L3 Harris Arabian Fox MAST-13 unmanned surface vessel. (Picture source: US Coast Guard)
The USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC John Scheuerman (WPC 1146) navigated the crucial waterway in unison with an L3 Harris Arabian Fox MAST-13 unmanned surface vessel. They traveled southward from the Arabian Gulf, passing through the narrow Strait of Hormuz, and ultimately entering the Gulf of Oman.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, serves as the only maritime route connecting the Persian Gulf to the open ocean and holds a pivotal position as one of the most significant choke points globally.
Iran is situated on the strait's northern coast, whereas the Musandam peninsula, shared by the United Arab Emirates and the Musandam Governorate, an exclave of Oman, lies on its southern coast.
The strait measures approximately 90 nautical miles (167 km) in length, with its width varying from approximately 52 nautical miles (96 km) to 21 nautical miles (39 km).
MAST-13
The MAST-13 is a fast interceptor vessel spanning 13 meters in length, boasting a maximum speed of over 40 knots and a remarkable endurance of 36 hours or more.
It was primarily designed as an ISR system platform, featuring a suite of integrated sensors such as EO/IR Pan-Tilt-Zoom camera, radar, and AIS. The vessel's twin diesel engines, combined with waterjet propulsion, provide exceptional maneuverability and velocity.
