The U.S. Navy changed its response in the Red Sea. U.S. destroyers repelled Houthi drones without firing a shot, using “non-kinetic” systems, which do not depend on munitions, but take advantage of technology. A tactic that proved crucial in the conflict with Yemeni rebels, allowing U.S. ships to operate longer without refueling.
These are defense methods that do not rely on munitions or physical destruction, but on electronic warfare through advanced systems, such as the SLQ-32, which detects and disrupts enemy communications, and the SSEE, which precisely geolocates enemies through encrypted codes. Using these tools, Yemeni drones are intercepted, tricked, or rendered inoperable, preventing U.S. Navy ships from straying from the battlefield to resupply or being damaged, preserving expensive missiles, and preventing Houthi moves.
According to Business Insider, the USS Mason’s military recorded dozens of attacks with “non-kinetic” systems between Nov. 27, 2023, and Mar. 9, 2024, defusing Yemeni drones. A document states that these clashes “not only demonstrate that non-kinetic weapon systems work at sea but change the way the surface Navy fights wars at sea.” So the program has been extended to other U.S. warships as well.
Earlier in the week, the rebels announced that they would stop attacking ships in the Red Sea, following the agreement found by Hamas and Israel for a cease-fire, allowing naval traffic to resume and return to normal after nearly a year’s hiatus. Bloomberg reported that a group of U.S. aircraft carriers have left the area heading for Greece.
