U.S. F-35C Fighters Down Iranian Shahed Drone Approaching USS Abraham Lincoln Aircraft Carrier.

US Central Command said US forces shot down an Iranian unmanned aircraft on 4 February 2026 after it flew toward the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. The incident underscores rising US-Iran maritime tensions as Washington reinforces its naval presence while nuclear diplomacy with Tehran remains fragile.

US Central Command said on February 3, 2026, that American forces intercepted and destroyed an Iranian unmanned aircraft after it approached the USS Abraham Lincoln while the carrier was operating in the Arabian Sea, calling the action a self-defence engagement to protect the ship and its crew. The incident comes as the United States increases its visible naval footprint across key Gulf approaches, even as diplomatic manoeuvring resumes over Iran’s nuclear programme and Tehran continues an assertive posture in international waters, according to US and regional officials.
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US forces shot down an Iranian drone near USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, highlighting rising naval tensions amid renewed nuclear diplomacy (Picture source: US DoD)

The Iranian platform was identified as a Shahed-139 drone and was destroyed after it “aggressively approached” the carrier with unclear intent.” The command said the unmanned aircraft continued to close the ship despite de-escalatory measures taken by US forces. Capt Tim Hawkins, a Navy spokesperson at CENTCOM, stated that an embarked F-35C fighter jet launched from USS Abraham Lincoln and shot down the drone to defend the carrier and personnel on board. CENTCOM reported no injuries among US service members and no damage to US equipment.

According to technical data displayed by Iranian during an Exhibition, the Shahed-139 claims a maximum operational radius of 1,800 km and endurance of up to 28 hours, parameters suited to persistent coverage of maritime routes and carrier transit corridors. The platform is also credited with an operational ceiling of 25,000 ft and a top speed of 220 km/h, with a stated maximum take-off weight of 1,200 kg and a maximum combined fuel and payload mass of 400 kg. The same source highlights SATCOM connectivity, automatic take-off and landing functions, and an emergency parachute recovery feature, indicating a design philosophy aimed at long-duration missions with reduced operator burden and resilience in case of system failure.

Iran did not publicly confirm the shootdown in the same terms, but Iranian state-linked media reported the loss of contact with a drone operating over international waters, with the mission described as reconnaissance and surveillance. That narrative is consistent with Iran’s broader practice of using unmanned aircraft to monitor naval movements and demonstrate presence without committing manned platforms, which would raise the political and escalation costs of an encounter.

USS Abraham Lincoln is a Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, designed for sustained power projection. The class uses two nuclear reactors, giving it essentially unlimited range constrained mainly by logistics, and enabling prolonged high-tempo air operations far from home ports. As a platform, it is not merely an airfield at sea but a command-and-control hub that connects fighters, electronic warfare aircraft, airborne early warning, escorts, and surveillance assets into a single operational system.

The F-35C Lightning II, is the US Navy’s carrier-capable fifth-generation fighter optimised for catapult launch and arrested recovery. Technically, its decisive advantage in intercepting small aerial targets lies in sensor fusion rather than speed alone. The F-35C is credited with a maximum speed of around 1,600 km/h and a stated maximum range of 2,520 km, powered by a Pratt & Whitney F135 turbofan. The aircraft integrates the AN/APG-81 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, supporting detection and tracking across multiple modes, while its Distributed Aperture System (DAS) provides near-spherical infrared coverage that can passively detect and track airborne objects. Combined with secure networking and data links, the F-35C can operate as both shooter and sensor, generating a coherent track picture that supports rapid engagement decisions and informs the wider force.

CENTCOM’s identification of the drone as a Shahed-139 places the incident within Iran’s wider unmanned strategy, which prioritises persistent presence and scalable risk. While public reporting on specific Shahed-139 performance figures is limited and varies by source, Shahed-series platforms are broadly associated with long-endurance missions and relatively low-cost airframes suitable for routine surveillance and signalling. In operational terms, such drones are valuable because they can loiter, observe, and cue other assets, including surface units or coastal systems, without exposing pilots or high-end manned aircraft.

CENTCOM also reported a separate episode the same day in the Strait of Hormuz, where the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly harassed a US-flagged and crewed merchant vessel, the M/V Stena Imperative. The command said two IRGC boats approached at high speed and threatened to board and seize the ship while an Iranian Mohajer drone flew overhead. CENTCOM stated that the USS McFaul intervened to escort the tanker away from the area, supported by defensive air cover, after which the situation de-escalated. The pairing of small-boat intimidation with overhead unmanned surveillance fits an established Iranian pattern of maritime coercion designed to test thresholds and shape behaviour without committing to overt combat.

The timing of the encounter adds political weight. Reports indicate diplomatic discussions are being arranged between US and Iranian representatives, with Tehran seeking to influence the venue and scope of talks and Washington maintaining pressure through visible military deployments. In that environment, a drone shootdown becomes part of strategic messaging. The US signals that it will defend high-value units decisively in international waters. Iran can frame the loss as an unexplained communications failure during routine surveillance, preserving deniability while still demonstrating it can operate near US forces.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay is a graduate of a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience in the study of conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.