EXQUISITE HOW THE MISSION SUBVERTS THE SHIP'S NAMESAKE:

Unmanned Vehicle Contributes to Counterpiracy Operations (Navy.mil, 1/30/2009)

The guided-missile destroyer USS Mahan (DDG 72) brings an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capability to Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, which enhances the counterpiracy task force's effectiveness. [...]

The unique attributes of a UAV – namely the ability to stay airborne for long periods and cover hundreds of square miles of ocean during the course of one mission, all the while sending imagery in real time back to Mahan and other assets in the task force – provide a significant tactical advantage.

"It can fly day or night in a covert or overt posture, making it much harder for pirates to hide" said Murphy.

"It is also important to note that the images and information obtained [by the UAV] at sea is shared with our coalition partners, thereby improving overall mission effectiveness and strengthening key partnerships between navies."