U.S. Navy Conducts First Known Sea Drone Rescue of Helicopter Crew in Middle East
A U.S. Navy autonomous surface vessel called the Saronic Corsair rescued two Army helicopter crew members after their helicopter was shot down in the Middle East, marking the first known U.S. use of an unmanned military vessel for personnel recovery at sea. The Corsair is a 24-foot drone operated by Task Force 59, the Navy's first unit dedicated to unmanned systems, which began deploying these vessels in the region in late March. The rescue demonstrates the Pentagon's expanding investment in autonomous vessels for both routine operations and high-risk missions, with plans for mass deployment of hundreds or potentially thousands of these systems.
A U.S. Navy autonomous surface vessel successfully rescued two Army helicopter crew members after their helicopter was shot down in the Middle East, in what officials believe is the first known U.S. use of an unmanned military vessel for personnel recovery at sea. The rescue craft, identified as a Saronic Corsair, is a 24-foot autonomous surface vessel operated by Task Force 59, the Navy's first unit dedicated to unmanned systems, which was created in 2021 and based in Bahrain. The Corsairs began operations in the Middle East in late March. Sea drones are employed for multiple purposes including surveillance, mine detection, and tracking enemy activity, with some being adapted for combat roles. The Pentagon views autonomous vessels as cost-effective tools to expand operational reach and accelerate response to threats while reducing risk to personnel. The technology's potential has been demonstrated elsewhere, notably by Ukraine's use of sea drones against Russian forces, including sinking warships and downing a helicopter. While sea drone technology continues to evolve, it has faced some technical and operational challenges.
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- The Straits TimesCenter
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