In first, US uses sea drones in combat in Iran strikes: CENTCOM

WASHINGTON — US forces used unmanned surface vessels (USVs) for the first time in combat operations — striking a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran on Sunday, according to US Central Command (CENTCOM). 

“Three Corsair unmanned surface vessels hit the port at Bandar Abbas Naval Base, marking the first time American forces have employed sea drones in combat operations,” CENTCOM said in a social media post on Monday. “Last night’s strikes degraded Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial shipping.” 

In a 24-second unclassified video posted by CENTOM, three unmanned surface vessels are shown individually approaching shoreline infrastructure — the same dock appears to be the target in two of the clips. The video then cuts to a first-person view from what appears to be the bow of one drone, showing the final approach to a dock that appears to be housing an exposed small submersible. Cutting back to an overhead view, the final seconds of the video shows clips of three explosions.

The unmanned milestone comes after CENTCOM said on Sunday that it had launched a fresh wave of offensive strikes against Iran that day, just after President Donald Trump said on Friday that a ceasefire with Iran is “OVER” in a social media post. Likewise, Trump said in another social media post today that the US would reinstate the naval blockade of Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz. 

Though it may be the first combat use, it’s not the first time Saronic’s Corsair vessel has played a high-profile role in operations in the Middle East in recent weeks. CENTCOM said last month that the Navy’s Task Force 59, which is focused on unmanned operations in Bahrain, “assisted” rescue operations of two crew members from a downed US Army AH-64 Apache off the coast of Oman. Media reports said the vessel located and picked up the crew members.

Outside the Iran conflict, Ukraine has employed unmanned one-way surface attack vessels to great effect in its fight against Russia.

Saronic says the Corsair can carry up to 1,000 lbs over 1,000 nautical miles. Task Force 59 began fielding the Corsair in March, per CENTCOM. 

The Navy announced in May that Saronic is one of seven companies selected to  participate in the service’s MUSV Marketplace’s at-sea testing this summer. Those who successfully complete the demonstration will receive $15 million, and qualify for follow-on production, according to the service.