US military claims first drone boat rescue of downed helicopter crew

US military claims first drone boat rescue of downed helicopter crew A US Army AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed near the Strait of Hormuz, and its two pilots were rescued by a US Navy Corsair unmanned surface vessel operated by Task Force 59. This incident marks the first reported instance of the US military using a drone boat for a maritime rescue mission at sea. The Corsair drone is an autonomous surface vessel capable of long-duration operations and has been fielded by Task Force 59 since March.

• Two US Army pilots were rescued by a drone boat after their AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed off the coast of Oman on June 8.
• This is reportedly the first time the US military has used a drone boat for a maritime rescue mission.
• The rescue was conducted by a US Navy Corsair unmanned surface vessel operated by Task Force 59, which integrates uncrewed vehicles into naval operations.
• The Corsair drone is 24 feet long, developed by Saronic Technologies, and capable of carrying significant payload over long distances at high speeds.
• The cause of the helicopter crash was not immediately clear, with reports varying and President Trump blaming Iran.
• The incident highlights the increasing use of drone technology for military operations, including potential future search-and-rescue missions in the Pacific. Continue reading https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/06/us-military-claims-first-drone-boat-rescue-of-downed-helicopter-crew/