Incident Was First Time In The Red Sea

During his address at the Surface Navy Association Symposium on January 16, 2025, Admiral James Kilby confirmed that a U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter shot down a Houthi rebel drone for the first time in the Red Sea.

The action took place as part of the Navy’s deployment to the region after the war broke out between Israel and the Hamas terrorist group. The Navy confirmed that the incident occurred in mid-December with a helicopter from the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group.

The Navy did not say what type of drone was shot down but did state that a “non-conventional system” was used. On that basis, U.S. defense analysts speculated that either the AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles or the AGR-20 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System was used.

U.S. Army Ah-64 Apache helicopters have demonstrated in live-fire exercises that the Hellfire system can enhance their anti-drone capability. However, the Apache aircraft are equipped with the AN/APG-78 Longbow radar system for guiding missiles, which the Seahawk does not have.

The AGR-20 system is a modified Hydra 70 rocket with a new laser guidance system. If this was used it would signify the first time the Navy successfully tested a new system in a real mission.

The MH-60R Seahawk platform was placed into service in 2001 primarily developed for anti-submarine action. It can carry GAU-21/A .50 caliber machine guns or M240 7.62 machine guns, as well as up to eight Hellfire missiles. It also carries sonobuoys and several types of torpedoes for submarine detection and attack.

FMI: www.navy.mil/