Chicago – May 01, 2026
A U.S. Navy destroyer lost power and propulsion for several hours while operating in the Indo-Pacific, according to a defense official and Navy statements. The ship, identified as USS Higgins, experienced an electrical malfunction that left it temporarily unable to maneuver before power was restored. No injuries were reported, and officials said the vessel is now operating again while investigators review what caused the failure.
The incident adds fresh scrutiny to U.S. naval readiness in the region, where the Navy maintains a strong presence amid rising tensions. While the outage was temporary, the loss of both power and propulsion aboard a front-line warship can raise questions about ship maintenance, reliability and operational risk. Officials have not said whether the malfunction was linked to a broader mechanical issue or a one-off event.
The Navy has not released further details on the duration of the outage, but the episode is being treated as an engineering casualty and remains under investigation.
