By The Washington Times (Business) | Created at 2026-06-09 21:43:44 | Updated at 2026-06-10 18:03:24
21 hours ago
An unmanned surface vessel — or drone boat — helped rescue two Army crew members whose AH-64 Apache helicopter was shot down near the Strait of Hormuz late Monday, according to government officials and defense industry sources.
It is believed to be the first time an autonomous boat was used in such an operation, underscoring the growing role the vessels play in U.S. military missions around the world.
The boat used in the rescue operation was the Corsair, a 24-foot autonomous surface vessel made by the Texas-based company Saronic.
“The U.S. military has acknowledged that a Saronic Corsair autonomous surface vessel was used in the recent rescue operation following the downing of a U.S. Army helicopter,” a Saronic spokesperson told The Washington Times.
U.S. Central Command said in a statement that the rescue operation was led by Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from the Air Force and Navy units including U.S. 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59.
Task Force 59 is the Navy’s first unmanned and artificial intelligence task force. It plays a central role in integrating autonomous boats into American naval power worldwide.
SEE ALSO: LISTEN: Why robots are at the center of U.S.-China competition
Across the defense industry, there is an expectation that unmanned surface vessels (USVs) will become key components of the U.S. fleet, especially in regions with vast waterways such as the Indo-Pacific and Middle East.
“These boats are so affordable and they can have such a massive impact. I feel like we’re at the dawn of a new era here with the potential of these small USVs,” said Barry Hinckley, president of Blue Ops, the maritime division of leading drone and robotics company Red Cat.
“USVs fill a gap, or a mission, that is incredibly important,” Mr. Hinckley recently told the Threat Status Podcast in an exclusive interview.
President Trump confirmed Tuesday that Iran shot down the Army helicopter. He vowed that the U.S. will retaliate.
CENTCOM said the helicopter went down near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters. The two crew members are in stable condition, officials said, and were both rescued within two hours of the incident.
