The US Navy’s unmanned surface vehicle was deployed in a rescue operation near the Strait of Hormuz. Officials reported that two Army pilots, reportedly shot down by Iran, were rescued using a sea drone, marking the first operation of its kind.
The operation took place on Monday off the coast of Oman. The rescue was remotely controlled by an operator; the pilots were first taken aboard the unmanned vehicle, then transferred to another location, and finally extracted from the water by helicopter.
US Focuses on Autonomous Systems in Middle East Operations
The incident highlights the US Navy’s increasing use of unmanned technologies in Middle East missions. The Task Force 59 of the US Central Command’s 5th Fleet was reported to have operated the Corsair unmanned surface vehicle used in the rescue.
Task Force 59 was announced in 2021 for testing and deploying unmanned systems and artificial intelligence. At the time, 5th Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Brad Cooper stated these systems enable missions over wider areas at lower costs.
The manufacturer, Saronic Technologies, described the Corsair as a 24-foot-long, diesel-powered platform capable of autonomous maritime operations. The company noted the vehicle can be launched and recovered from ships and remain on mission for extended periods without returning to port.
In tests conducted in January, Corsair demonstrated the ability to operate under conditions that human operators could not endure and could stay at sea for over 50 days. This capability is said to reduce costs, risks, and fatigue associated with crewed operations.
Experts Say Rescue Expands Use Cases for Unmanned Vehicles
Bryan Clark from the Hudson Institute called the drone’s role in the rescue surprising. He noted that such vehicles are typically used for surveillance but the operation showcased their versatility.
Scott Savitz of the Rand Corporation said the US is increasingly focusing on effectively utilizing these systems. He pointed out that CENTCOM and the US Navy’s Central Command have taken a leading role in trials, which have shown positive results.
Savitz also highlighted the technical challenges of using unmanned surface vehicles in the Gulf, where warmer and saltier waters pose additional durability tests for these systems.
The report mentioned other autonomous maritime vehicles in the region are used for air defense, surveillance, submarine tracking, and mine clearance. Experts believe the recent rescue demonstrates these vehicles’ effectiveness not only in offensive roles but also in humanitarian and rescue missions.
