A U.S. Navy drone, a Saronic Corsair autonomous surface vessel, rescued two Army helicopter crew members in the Middle East, marking a potential first use of such a craft for personnel recovery at sea.
The successful rescue by a U.S. Navy drone underscores the growing capabilities and integration of unmanned maritime systems into military operations, potentially reducing risk to human personnel in dangerous situations and demonstrating a new facet of naval warfare.
A U.S. Navy drone has successfully rescued two Army helicopter crew members in the Middle East, an operation believed to be the first known instance of an unmanned military vessel being used for personnel recovery at sea. The craft involved was identified as a Saronic Corsair, a 24-foot autonomous surface vessel.
This event highlights the Pentagon's increasing reliance on unmanned systems, with the U.S. Navy's Task Force 59, established in 2021 and based in Bahrain, leading the charge in testing and deploying these technologies. The task force began fielding the Corsairs in the Middle East in late March.
U.S. sea drones encompass both unmanned surface vessels and underwater vehicles, offering commanders flexibility. These drones are employed for a range of missions, including surveillance, mine detection, tracking enemy activity, and are being adapted for combat roles. The Pentagon views these autonomous vessels as a cost-effective means to expand reach and improve response times, with plans for mass deployment of hundreds or thousands of Corsairs.
While U.S. systems are still evolving, Ukraine's use of sea drones against Russia has already proven their battlefield impact, including sinking warships and, notably, downing a helicopter, showcasing the potential of unmanned maritime warfare.
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