What we know about US sea drone used in helicopter crew rescue mission

June 11, 2026

A US military sea drone successfully rescued two soldiers from a downed Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, representing the first publicly documented unmanned vessel rescue operation. The 24-foot Corsair drone, manufactured by a Texas company and operated by the Navy's Task Force 59, retrieved the crew members within approximately two hours after President Trump stated Iran shot down the helicopter. The vessel, typically used for mine detection and surveillance, was likely manually controlled during the rescue to ensure precise positioning, and was selected because it could perform the dangerous mission without risking additional personnel.

Who is affected

Two US Army helicopter crew members who were rescued
US Central Command (Centcom) and Task Force 59 personnel who conducted the rescue operation
The Texas-based maritime drone manufacturing company that produced the Corsair vessel
US military forces operating in the Strait of Hormuz region
Shipping vessels affected by the largely blocked Strait of Hormuz waterway

What action is being taken

The US Navy is experimenting with the Corsair drone fleet in the strait to explore its capabilities
The Pentagon is expanding its use of drones as part of an ongoing plan
Sea drones are being increasingly used in the war between Ukraine and Russia
Iran is using drone boats to target vessels attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz during the current conflict

Why it matters

This rescue represents a significant milestone as the first publicly known instance of an unmanned vessel conducting a rescue mission, demonstrating new capabilities for autonomous military technology. The successful operation shows that sea drones can perform dangerous missions without risking additional personnel in hostile environments like the Strait of Hormuz conflict zone. This development reflects the broader evolution of military drone technology, influenced by innovations from the Ukraine-Russia war, and signals an expanding role for unmanned systems in naval operations beyond their traditional surveillance and mine-detection purposes.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC