Turkish forces destroy Armed US-Made Sea Drone found on Black Sea Coast

Ordu: Turkish military teams carried out a controlled detonation of a US-made unmanned surface vessel after experts confirmed it was active and loaded with munitions, officials said on Saturday.

The vessel, identified as the AEGIR-W, was discovered on Friday along a beach in the Yüceller neighborhood of Ünye district on Türkiye’s Black Sea coast. Locals alerted authorities after spotting the unidentified object, prompting gendarmerie units to secure the area.

According to the Ordu Governor’s Office, specialists from Istanbul’s S.A.S. Group Command examined the craft and determined it was still operational and carrying live ordnance. As a precaution, nearby homes were evacuated.

The drone vessel was then towed nearly four kilometers offshore, where it was safely destroyed in a controlled explosion.

The AEGIR-W is an autonomous military vessel produced by Sierra Nevada Corporation, designed for high-risk maritime operations. It can operate independently or be remotely controlled, with a range of up to 900 kilometers, speeds exceeding 25 knots, and a payload capacity of around 300 kilograms.

Officials believe the vessel may have been linked to testing activities related to the ongoing Ukraine conflict, though no official confirmation has been provided. Authorities have launched an investigation into how the drone reached Türkiye’s coastline.