00:00Could a fleet of cheap Iranian drones really threaten one of America's most
00:20powerful warships? Experts say yes. And as the USS Abraham Lincoln sails closer
00:27to the Persian Gulf, the stakes have never been higher. This isn't science fiction,
00:32this is modern asymmetric warfare. As tensions between the US and Iran continue
00:40to escalate, military analysts are warning about a new unconventional threat, drone
00:46swarms. Not missiles, not fighter jets, small inexpensive and deadly drones that
00:53could overwhelm the defenses of even the most advanced naval vessels. Cameron
00:59Chell, CEO of Canadian drone manufacturer Dragonfly, calls Iran's drone program a
01:06credible threat to the USS Abraham Lincoln and its escort ships. He explains if Iran
01:12launches hundreds of drones at once, even sophisticated radar, missile
01:18interceptors and close-in weapon systems like the phalanx could be overwhelmed.
01:23A simple calculation shows the danger. One-way, disposable drones with small
01:29warheads can penetrate defenses purely through numbers. Cheap drones versus
01:34multimillion-dollar interceptors, and the carrier is a huge, slow-moving target.
01:40Iran has invested heavily in unmanned aerial technology. Its arsenal includes Shahed suicide
01:48drones like the Shahed 129 and Shahed 149, Gaza, capable of long-range strikes and 24-hour missions.
01:57Khad's Mahajr 10, versatile UAVs for surveillance and electronic warfare. Arash loitering munitions,
02:05designed for one-way attacks. Gheron 5, a jet-powered air-launch drone with a 1,000-kilometer range.
02:14By 2026, Iran operates thousands of drones, with most specialized for reconnaissance and attack roles.
02:22These systems have been battle-tested abroad, notably in Ukraine, demonstrating their ability to
02:28overwhelmed air defenses. The USS Abraham Lincoln, a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier,
02:36entered U.S. Central Command waters on January 26, 2026, accompanied by guided missile destroyers
02:44and Carrier Wing 9. It's a formidable display of power — fighter jets, early warning aircraft,
02:51and multiple defensive layers. But it also makes the carrier a high-value target. Recent Iranian-linked
02:59social media posts, including footage of the carrier, have threatened suicide drone attacks,
03:05highlighting the psychological as well as tactical component of the threat. The U.S. has countermeasures
03:11in development, directed energy weapons, drone-on-drone intercept systems, and electronic warfare
03:18capabilities. But experts like Chell cautioned that coordinated swarms of drones have never been
03:25fully tested against a carrier strike group. One key risk — sheer numbers. Hundreds of inexpensive drones
03:33could saturate defenses, forcing the U.S. to expend millions in interceptors to stop relatively cheap
03:40threats. This situation reflects a dramatic shift in naval warfare. Low-cost drones can now threaten
03:48billion-dollar warships, giving smaller nations asymmetric tools to challenge global powers.
03:55With Iran bolstering its drone and missile programs, receiving support from allies like Russia and China,
04:02and facing internal protests, the potential for miscalculation is high.
04:07The USS Abraham Lincoln is in position, the drones are ready, and tensions are rising. For now,
04:15no attacks have occurred, but the threat is real, evolving, and unprecedented. This is a new era of
04:23naval warfare, where technology and strategy intersect, and numbers may matter as much or more. As Iran's drones
04:32loom on the horizon, the world watches. Can even the most powerful warships survive a swarm?
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