viation News – A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet disabled an Iranian-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on May 6, 2026, after the vessel attempted to breach an active US maritime blockade. The precision strike targeted the ship’s steering gear to halt its progress toward an Iranian port, marking a significant escalation in enforcement operations.
The encounter involved the M/T Hasna, an unladen oil tanker observed by US Central Command (CENTCOM) transiting international waters. Despite receiving multiple warnings from American forces regarding the blockade on ships entering or departing Iranian ports, the vessel’s crew failed to comply with instructions to change course.
The tactical response originated from the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), currently stationed in the region to maintain maritime security. Officials confirmed that the engagement occurred only after all non-kinetic communication efforts were exhausted, emphasizing the intent to stop the vessel without causing a total loss of the ship or environmental damage.
To achieve a “mobility kill,” the F/A-18 Super Hornet utilized its 20mm cannon to deliver high-precision fire against the tanker’s rudder. This specific technical maneuver effectively neutralized the ship’s ability to steer while leaving its hull intact, demonstrating a calibrated use of force designed to enforce the blockade with surgical accuracy.