Investigations Launched in Drone Mishap

The 13-foot BQM-74 series aerial drone had a wingspan of nearly six feet

Navy officials are conducting two formal investigations into what caused a drone to crash into a Navy vessel off the California coast.

It could be weeks before we learn what caused the injury of two sailors and the damage to the guided missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville.

The drone hit the ship's port side while the vessel was conducting training exercises off Point Mugu on Nov. 16. Officials said the drone was being used to test the ship's radar.

The 13-foot BQM-74 series aerial drone had a wingspan of nearly six feet. It was manufactured by Aerospace giant Northrop Grumman Corp.

The first formal investigation will be a safety review that looks at the hazards and other factors which may have led to the collision.

At the same time, the Judge Advocate General (JAG) will conduct a second investigation offering an objective overview of what happened.

Both investigations have an initial timeline of 30 days according to the spokesperson for the Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Two people suffered burns. There were about 300 crew members aboard the ship at the time of the incident.

USS Chancellorsville was docked at Naval Base San Diego, where investigators assessed the damage and worked on repairs.

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