The US Navy's new sea drones have gone from rescuing downed airmen to blowing up Iranian targets
The US Navy has deployed Saronic Corsair autonomous sea drones for both rescue missions and combat operations in the Middle East. These drones were recently used to strike Iranian naval facilities, marking a significant milestone in the use of uncrewed surface vessels.
Why it matters
The successful use of autonomous drones in combat signals a shift in naval warfare, increasing the reach and capability of military forces while reducing risk to personnel.
From rescuing downed airmen to first combat uses, sea drones are seeing use in Iran. US Central Command The US Navy has been using Saronic Corsair sea drones in new missions. In June, one rescued airmen from a downed Apache helicopter, an operational first for the US military. Over the weekend, three of them were used in attacks against Iran, another first. The US Navy's new Saronic Corsair sea drones are getting a workout in the Middle East, pulling off operational firsts for the American military in both rescue and combat. US Central Command revealed Monday that attacks over the weekend that targeted an Iranian submarine and ship maintenance facility involved three Corsair sea drones made by Saronic, an autonomous naval drone company. The company's Corsair drones are 24 feet long, boast a range of over 1,000 nautical miles, and have a payload capacity of 1,000 pounds.
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