An unmanned sea vehicle of the US Navy was deployed in a rescue operation near the Strait of Hormuz. Officials reported that two military pilots, reportedly shot down by Iran, were rescued at sea using an unmanned vessel, marking the first drone-assisted maritime rescue operation.
The operation took place on Monday off the coast of Oman and was remotely controlled by an operator. The pilots were first taken aboard the unmanned vessel, then transferred to another location, and subsequently extracted from the water by helicopter.
US Prioritizes Autonomous Systems in the Middle East
The incident occurred amid the US Navy's ongoing efforts to increase the use of unmanned technologies in Middle East missions. It was noted that Task Force 59 of the US Central Command's 5th Fleet operated the unmanned surface vehicle named Corsair during the rescue.
Task Force 59 was announced in 2021 to focus on testing and deploying unmanned systems and artificial intelligence. At the time, 5th Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Brad Cooper stated that these systems enable operations 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 missions. The company stated that the vessel can be launched and recovered from ships and remain on duty 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 Usage Scope
Bryan Clark from the Hudson Institute called the vessel's role in the rescue surprising. Clark noted that such vehicles are typically used for surveillance but this operation showcased their versatility.
Scott Savitz of the Rand Corporation remarked that the US is increasingly focusing on effectively utilizing these systems. He highlighted that CENTCOM and the US Naval Forces Central Command have played pioneering roles in trials, which have shown positive results.
Savitz also pointed out the technical challenges of using unmanned sea vehicles in the Gulf, noting that the warmer and saltier waters pose additional tests for system durability.
The report mentioned that other autonomous maritime vehicles in the region are used for air defense, surveillance, submarine tracking, and mine clearance. Experts believe the recent rescue demonstrates that these vehicles are effective not only for offensive purposes but also for aid and rescue missions.
