British and American naval forces came to the aid of a merchant ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz on June 4, after the vessel made a distress call claiming harassment by Iranian fast-attack boats.

The fast-attack boats were identified as belonging to the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy.

At approximately 4:56 p.m. local time, the internationally flagged merchant vessel, sailing the narrow strait, reported an unsettling incident.

The civilian crew made a distress call, stating that three armed fast-attack crafts were closely following their vessel.

In response, the “U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74) and UK Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster (F 229) both received the distress call,” according to the press release. Acting on the distress call, HMS Lancaster launched a helicopter for surveillance, and the US 5th Fleet directed a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to keep watch over the unfolding situation.

An hour later, the situation started to deescalate when the merchant ship confirmed that the Iranian fast-attack crafts had left the area. Following the departure of the fast-attack crafts, the merchant’s vessel resumed its journey through the Strait of Hormuz without further ado.

This incident brings attention to the vital role that international naval forces play in maintaining safe and free navigation through global shipping lanes, in this case, the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz.

You can read more by clicking here.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Ian M.
Ian M.
9 months ago

The main picture begs the question about the quality of USN TI video? Very grainy.

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
9 months ago
Reply to  Ian M.

It won’t be the full fat full res version and it isn’t visible spectrum either.

Ian M.
Ian M.
9 months ago

Hi SB, I did suspect that maybe the USN weren’t publishing hi-res stills but the TI (Thermal imaging) systems I work on are HD quality.

cheers
Ian

Supportive Bloke
Supportive Bloke
9 months ago
Reply to  Ian M.

I think it is a photo of the monitor too.

That way there won’t be any embedded data or hints as to how it processed.

I agree that thermal can be surprisingly good: in the right conditions.

Last edited 9 months ago by Supportive Bloke
Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
9 months ago
Reply to  Ian M.

Usually, the military has higher-spec digital imaging systems than what is being used in T.V post-production. It remains classified until they have higher resolutions to work with and then the technology is declassified and appears on the market. Currently, 16K ultra-wide (16320×2304-pixels) has come onto the market, so this will give you an idea of what might be available to them now! Years ago working for a post house in Germany, we had the first Silicon graphics Onyx computer installed which had to be cleared by the US to be used in Europe as they were concerned that the Russians… Read more »

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
9 months ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins
Ian M.
Ian M.
9 months ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Just thinking “wild heat”?

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
9 months ago
Reply to  Ian M.

Indeed!

Ian M.
Ian M.
9 months ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Good info Nigel, cheers.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
9 months ago
Reply to  Ian M.

This gives us a better idea as to the quality issues with the image above taken from space.

The image (frame) in the link holds 3.99Gb of data, try uploading this on here!

I’m guessing this is simply a low res image nothing more.

LINK

Ian M
Ian M
9 months ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

More good stuff! Cheers👍

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
9 months ago
Reply to  Nigel Collins

Fascinating Nigel. Thanks for this.

Nigel Collins
Nigel Collins
9 months ago

Your welcome Daniele.

Andrew
Andrew
9 months ago
Reply to  Ian M.

Something similar to operation preying mantis?

AlexS
AlexS
9 months ago
Reply to  Ian M.

Released pictures have to be vetted before. They of course don’t show the high quality stuff.

FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
9 months ago
Reply to  Ian M.

Hmmm…intriguing how life is (loosely) imitating art (specifically, the novel ‘2034’) currently. The natives are becoming a little chippy in the Strait of Hormuz, while simultaneously, scum-sucking, slimeball ChiComs choose to play a game of chicken with a USN DDG in the Taiwan Strait, as well as buzzing a patrol a/c (possibly a P-8A) the previous week. Now I consider myself to be a fervent pacifist, up to a certain point. Live and let live, peaceful coexistence, and all that happy horses**t. But, there is also a point when it transforms into a wish that the opposition hangs a toe… Read more »

Mr Bell
Mr Bell
9 months ago

I hope the Wildcat on HMS Lancaster has the full Martlett missile array and enough reloads to ruin the Iranian republican guards little piracy jaunts.

Steve
Steve
9 months ago
Reply to  Mr Bell

Do we know how many of the wildcats have been upgraded to support the wings for the martlett and associated gear to target and fire them?

It would be interesting to know what went wrong with the concept to also add marlet to the ds30m guns of the various ships.

Last edited 9 months ago by Steve
FormerUSAF
FormerUSAF
9 months ago
Reply to  Steve

Umm…GB, time to chime in, definitely w/in your wheelhouse. Strictly a guess, nothing necessarily wrong, simply didn’t increase effective range to the degree desired. However, could be totally incorrect in assesment. 🤔

Gunbuster
Gunbuster
9 months ago

So..my ten-penneth . Thermal imaging in the Gulf is an issue during the day. There are certain “windows” in the spectrum for TI to work in but these windows get degraded by water vapour, heat , haze and particulates . Currently its a balmy 35 Degs in the Gulf area where I am and there has been a lot of Haze and sand/dust in the air so TI pictures are understandably poor. Martlet on 30mm …I didnt hear anything but from a personal standpoint it probably didn’t deliver anything that wasnt already available on a T45/23. Rivers etc…maybe something extra.… Read more »

Ian M.
Ian M.
9 months ago
Reply to  Gunbuster

Good assessment GB, most mil spec TI systems use the 8-12 micron range (Long wave infrared) as it has the best ability to “see” through the muck.
cheers

LongTime
LongTime
9 months ago
Reply to  Ian M.

Ian having just opened it on my work monitor (48” 8k) and not my phone, I suspect that was a higher altitude picture and “zoomed in”. Grainy doesn’t do the pixelation justice 😂

Ian M
Ian M
9 months ago
Reply to  LongTime

Grainier than barn full of wheat!😁