U.S. Navy Drone Boat Successfully Rescues Pilots in Strait of Hormuz Incident
A U.S. Army Apache helicopter was shot down by Iranian forces near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting a rescue mission that marked a significant milestone in military technology. The rescue was conducted by a Saronic Corsair, a 24-foot unmanned surface vessel operated by the Navy's Task Force 59. This event is notable as it represents the first known instance of an unmanned vessel completing a rescue at sea. The two airmen involved in the incident were safely rescued and are reportedly in stable condition. The Saronic Corsair, part of a fleet of autonomous surface vehicles, was under the operational lead of the U.S. Naval Force Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division. The vessel, capable of carrying 1,000 pounds and operating over 1,000 nautical miles, was first unveiled in October 2024, and has since been integrated into the Navy's operations. 
