US Navy Uses Autonomous Sea Drone to Rescue Apache Crew Near Strait of Hormuz
Two US Army Apache helicopter crew members were rescued near the Strait of Hormuz after their aircraft crashed during a patrol mission. The rescue was conducted using the Saronic Corsair, a 24-foot autonomous surface vessel operated by the US Navy's Task Force 59, marking the first known use of an unmanned sea drone for personnel recovery. The crew spent nearly two hours in the water before being located and transported to safety. The incident occurred amid heightened US-Iran tensions, with investigations ongoing.