USS Stout: Unidentified drone encounter in January 2020
The destroyer USS Stout encountered an unknown unmanned aerial system during naval operations. Visual documentation captured by the vessel's photographic team revealed a quadcopter configuration. The incident remained classified until public release two years later.
Background
In approximately January 2020, the United States Navy destroyer USS Stout experienced a close encounter with an unidentified unmanned aircraft system while conducting maritime operations. The vessel's specialized photographic unit, designated SNOOPIE, visually documented the incident through multiple images. Analysis of this evidence indicated the object possessed characteristics consistent with a quadcopter-type drone. One photograph was subsequently redacted in official releases, while two others clearly depicted the unmanned system's configuration. This encounter represents part of a broader pattern of documented interactions between naval assets and unknown aerial objects during the 2019-2020 timeframe. Military protocols required the crew to treat the incident as a potential security threat, necessitating formal reporting and investigation procedures.