US Navy Deploys Sea Drone in First Public Rescue Mission

A 24‑foot Corsair drone rescued two U.S. soldiers who were stranded aboard a crashed Apache helicopter off Oman’s coastline. Officials say the unmanned boat reached the wreckage in roughly two hours, lifted the crew onto a salvage board and then transferred them to a helicopter for evacuation.

What is the Corsair?

The sea drone, built by Texas‑based Saronic, can carry 1,000 lb (450 kg) of payload and cruise at over 35 knots (40 mph). It has a flat deck that can host three‑to‑four passengers, a 360‑degree camera, radar for long‑range navigation and an electronic radio sensor for intelligence gathering.

How the Rescue Unfolded

While the Corsair can operate autonomously, experts say it was likely guided manually by a remote operator who docked it precisely at the crew’s location. Soldiers were hoisted onto the drone at 03:30 a.m. local time, then transferred to a helicopter for further transport.

Why a Sea Drone Instead of a Ship or Helicopter?

Task Force 59 commander Captain Tim Hawkins explained that deploying the unmanned vessel avoided a higher‑risk insertion that could expose personnel to enemy fire in the contested Strait of Hormuz. The drone’s proximity and speed were decisive.

The Growing Role of Sea Drones

Sea drones have proven their versatility in the Ukraine‑Russia conflict, where Ukraine has used them to detonate attacks on Russian ships. Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Iran have deployed similar platforms during current maritime tensions. Experts say the U.S. is now expanding its unmanned fleet, having already deployed the Corsair in the Middle East as part of a broader Pentagon strategy.

Source: BBC Verify