This Monday, a U.S. Navy military drone, the MQ-4C Triton, with the callsign BLKCAT5, was detected operating in the Gulf of Mexico, north of Cuba, according to public tracking data shared by open-source intelligence accounts.
The drone departed from Naval Air Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, as confirmed by OSINT tracker HunterNight: "Departing from Naval Air Station Mayport, Jacksonville, to operate in Gulf of Mexico regions."
Using ADS-B Exchange, the drone was tracked flying at a barometric altitude of 47,000 feet—approximately 14,326 meters—and at a speed of 300 knots. The drone's path took it south from Jacksonville along Florida's west coast before veering west/southwest over the Gulf of Mexico.
Its position was logged at coordinates 26.934°N, 85.250°W, west of Florida and north of Cuba.
The FlconEYES account clarified that although the hexadecimal code AE687C is shared in the database with the Boeing P-8 Poseidon, it was unmistakably the MQ-4C Triton: "Active drone service heading towards the Gulf of Mexico. MQ-4C Triton (not a P-8)."
Increased Drone Activity Around Cuba
This Monday's flight marks the second occurrence of an MQ-4C Triton operating near Cuba in less than a week. Last Thursday, April 17, another drone of the same model, with the callsign BLKCAT6, completed a lengthy nighttime mission around the entire island, flying over Pinar del Río, Santiago de Cuba, and the vicinity of Havana.
Both operations occurred just days after Cuban President Díaz-Canel delivered a high-alert speech on April 16, commemorating the anniversary of the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion: "The situation is extremely challenging and calls us once again to be prepared to face serious threats, including military aggression."
Operation Southern Spear
These drone activities are part of Operation Southern Spear, initiated by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on November 13, 2025. This campaign, led by the Southern Command, carries an estimated cost of $3 billion and targets transnational criminal networks and drug trafficking in the Caribbean.
The MQ-4C Triton, developed by Northrop Grumman, is a high-altitude, long-endurance drone capable of continuous operation for up to 30 hours, reaching a service ceiling of 56,000 feet, and covering up to four million square nautical miles in 24 hours. It is equipped with a 360-degree coverage AESA radar.
This Monday's flight is the third documented MQ-4C Triton surveillance event around Cuba in under three months. On February 6, the same BLKCAT5 was detected north of the island, accompanied by RC-135V/W Rivet Joint spy planes and two P-8A Poseidons, marking a sustained escalation of U.S. military presence in the region since mid-2025.
FAQs on U.S. Drone Operations Near Cuba
What is the MQ-4C Triton?
The MQ-4C Triton is a high-altitude, long-endurance drone developed by Northrop Grumman. It is designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions, capable of operating continuously for up to 30 hours.
Why are U.S. drones operating near Cuba?
The drones are part of Operation Southern Spear, a U.S. military campaign targeting transnational criminal networks and drug trafficking in the Caribbean region.
How often have MQ-4C Tritons been detected near Cuba?
In less than three months, there have been three documented MQ-4C Triton surveillance events around Cuba, indicating increased U.S. military activity in the area.