US uses drone boats for first time in latest Iran strikes
Source: Task & Purpose
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The U.S. military launched one-way attack sea drones in combat for the first time as part of this weekend’s strike against Iran, according to U.S. Central Command.
Over the past week, U.S. forces have launched hundreds of attacks against Iranian targets following reported attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, for which CENTCOM has said Iran is responsible.
The most recent strikes, which concluded on Sunday, marked the combat debut for U.S. military drone boats, according to a CENTCOM news release.
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“Yesterday, using multiple one-way attack surface drones, CENTCOM forces successfully struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran,” CENTCOM wrote in a Monday social media post. “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. Last night’s strikes degraded Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial shipping.”
CENTCOM also released video of the strikes:
Bandar Abbas was one of several sites in Iran hit by American air, ground and sea forces this weekend. The U.S. fired at dozens of targets along southern Iran, including at Qeshm Island. More than 300 targets have been hit.
Ukraine has shown the potential of using drone boats in attacks against Russian ships. Officially known as unmanned surface vessels, or USVs, these drone boats can be laden with explosives and used as guided torpedoes. The U.S. has been fielding the Corsair since March, according to CENTCOM.
This weekend was the U.S. military’s first use of the one-way attack sea drones in combat, but not the first time they’ve been utilized in operations in the Middle East. Last month a Corsair sea drone rescued the crew of an AH-64 Apache helicopter that crashed off the coast of Oman.
The post US uses drone boats for first time in latest Iran strikes appeared first on Task & Purpose.
Classification
Region
West Asia
Analytical Domain
Operational
Primary Category / Secondary Categories
Military Operations / Weapons & Equipment
Subcategory
Naval Engagement
SALUTE Report
Size
Three Corsair unmanned surface vessels
Activity
U.S. forces launched one-way attack sea drones against Iranian targets
Location
Bandar Abbas · Qeshm Island · Iran
Unit
U.S. Central Command
Time
July 2026
Equipment
one-way attack sea dronesCorsair unmanned surface vessels
Summary
U.S. Central Command launched three Corsair unmanned surface vessels in a strike against Iranian targets, marking the first combat use of one-way attack sea drones. The operation targeted a submarine and ship maintenance facility at Bandar Abbas Naval Base and involved over 300 strikes across southern Iran, including Qeshm Island. This action was a response to Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
- U.S. military launched one-way attack sea drones for the first time in combat.
- Three Corsair unmanned surface vessels struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran.
- Over 300 targets were hit by U.S. forces in southern Iran, including Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Island.
- The strikes were in response to reported Iranian attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The Corsair sea drone was previously used for a rescue operation off the coast of Oman.