In a shocking escalation of hostilities, the USS Carney successfully defended itself against a swarm of 12 Houthi drones in the Red Sea early Sunday morning. The attack began at 0300 local time on December 16, 2023, when radar operators aboard the destroyer detected an unusual formation of unidentified aerial vehicles rapidly closing in.

With time running out, the ship’s advanced defense systems sprang into action. The crew quickly realized they were under assault from a coordinated drone swarm, a tactic previously studied but never encountered in live combat. The situation intensified as the drones approached at speeds of around 100 knots, evading detection until they were just 15 miles away from the ship.

The tactical action officer immediately initiated a counter-strategy, targeting the largest group of drones first. A Standard Missile-2 was launched, intercepting the first wave with remarkable precision. However, the Houthi forces had anticipated this and sent smaller drones from multiple angles to exploit potential blind spots.

As the situation escalated, the Carney’s crew faced a critical challenge: six additional drones were barreling toward them from both the front and rear. With the ship’s weaponry engaged in a race against time, the crew utilized the RIM-162 evolved Sea Sparrow missile to eliminate one of the threats, while the ship’s MK45 5-inch gun prepared to fire at the incoming swarm.

In a dramatic turn, a malfunction in the gun’s fuse setter posed a significant risk. Yet, the crew quickly pivoted to the SeaWiz, an autonomous close-in weapon system, which effectively neutralized the last two drones just moments before impact.

This high-stakes encounter underscores the evolving nature of modern warfare, where drone technology poses unprecedented challenges. The USS Carney’s crew, battle-hardened through previous engagements, showcased their readiness in a scenario that could have escalated into a catastrophic breach of security. As tensions continue to rise in the region, the world watches closely.