W-72: F/A-18F sees white drone-like object
An F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA-11 encountered a white object resembling a drone or missile in the W-72 area off Virginia at 17,000 feet. The crew saw it pass closely with an exhaust trail, but no radar detected it.
Background
Incident
On June 27, 2013 at 12:20, an F/A-18F Super Hornet of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 (VFA-11, "Red Rippers"), flying from Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia, had an encounter in warning area W-72 off the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina. The aircraft was at 17,000 feet when the crew visually acquired a white object of the size and shape of a drone or a missile.
Observation
The object climbed and passed the jet on the right at a lateral distance of about 200 feet. It showed a visible exhaust trail. Neither the Super Hornet nor NAS Oceana registered a radar contact.
Response
The Navy warned units of the hazards posed by unauthorised drone flights. The incident reflects growing concern about unknown objects in military airspace.