A Missile Hit the Water 9 Meters From a U.S. Patrol Craft – The Battery Had Already Fired Before…

In a tense situation in the Persian Gulf, the USS Sarocco, a cyclone-class patrol craft, experienced a near miss when an Iranian C704 anti-ship missile detonated just 9 meters from its hull.

The incident occurred with alarming speed, as the crew had only 7 seconds of warning from the moment the missile’s fire control radar activated to the time of impact.

This missile strike highlighted several vulnerabilities in the Sarocco’s defense systems, particularly the absence of its close-in weapon system (CIWS), which was undergoing routine maintenance at the time of the attack.

The C704 missile was launched from a battery positioned on the Iranian coast, having been precomputed for the Sarocco’s predictable patrol path.

The battery had been in place for approximately 4 hours, taking advantage of a gap in satellite surveillance that failed to detect its activation.

As the missile launched, the Sarocco’s electronic warfare (EW) suite detected the fire control radar emission just moments before the missile struck, providing a brief window for the crew to react.

The commanding officer quickly assessed the situation and ordered the ship to maximum speed, directing it away from the missile battery’s position to increase its standoff distance.

Despite the proximity of the explosion, which blew the starboard inflatable boat off its davits and knocked crew members to the deck, the Sarocco sustained only minor external damage and was able to continue its mission.

Following the near miss, the U.S. military’s response was swift and coordinated. The targeting data from the Sarocco’s EW detection was transmitted to command, leading to an immediate authorization for airstrikes against the Iranian missile battery.

Two FA-18E Super Hornets, already in the area on combat air patrol, were dispatched to engage the battery.

Within minutes, the F/A-18s arrived at the battery’s location and successfully destroyed the launch vehicle and its fire control radar.

The rapid execution of the strike demonstrated the effectiveness of U.S. military coordination and the importance of timely intelligence sharing.

This incident serves as a crucial reminder of the risks faced by naval vessels operating in high-threat environments and the need for constant vigilance and preparedness.

The USS Sarocco’s crew learned valuable lessons from the encounter, particularly regarding the importance of maintaining operational readiness and adapting to evolving threats in maritime operations.

The post-incident review identified several key areas for improvement, including the need for stricter protocols regarding maintenance schedules for critical defense systems like the CIWS.

Additionally, the incident prompted a reevaluation of intelligence-gathering processes and the need for more frequent updates to surveillance protocols to detect potential threats more effectively.

As the U.S. Navy continues to operate in the Persian Gulf, the lessons learned from the Sarocco’s near miss will inform future operations and help ensure the safety of naval personnel in the region.

The incident underscores the ever-present dangers of naval warfare, where split-second decisions and rapid responses can mean the difference between life and death.

As tensions in the region remain high, the U.S. military’s commitment to maintaining a strong naval presence will be critical in deterring aggression and ensuring the safety of American forces and allies in the area.

In the aftermath of the incident, the crew of the Sarocco has adopted new protocols and strategies to enhance their defensive capabilities, ensuring they are better prepared for any future challenges they may face in the volatile waters of the Persian Gulf.