[bhouston]

Could they instead spoof the GPS that the other civilian ship was using and guide it into the US ship? That seems like it would be infinitely easier to do.

Isn't is also possible to just hack into the computers of the civilian ship as they are likely incredibly insecure and basically do what you want with it? I understand most industry computer control systems incredibly dated and insecure.

Just speculation of course.

[lstyls]

Navy attack ships are much, much faster and more maneuverable than cargo ships or takers. They could have outmaneuvered one easily if they wanted to.

[wwwv]

The US military uses encrypted GPS, not the civilian one.

[tardygrad]

Maybe, but why do it? I see no possible motive here.