Saronic Corsair USV Completes First-Ever Combat Search and Rescue Mission, Recovering Two U.S. Army Pilots Downed by Iran
U.S. Navy Task Force 59 deployed a Saronic Corsair unmanned surface vessel (USV) to rescue two U.S. Army pilots whose AH-64 Apache attack helicopter was shot down by Iranian forces in waters near Oman. The operation marks the first time in history that a USV has been used to conduct a search and rescue mission, with both pilots recovered safely within approximately two hours.
Highlights
- A Saronic Corsair USV operated by U.S. Navy Task Force 59 rescued two U.S. Army pilots near Oman, marking the world's first search and rescue mission conducted by an unmanned surface vessel.
- The two pilots' AH-64 Apache attack helicopter was shot down by Iranian forces; President Trump confirmed the incident and vowed retaliation.
- The rescue operation was completed in approximately two hours, with CENTCOM confirming both pilots are in stable condition.
- The Saronic Corsair USV has an operational range exceeding 1,000 nautical miles and can carry a payload of up to 1,000 pounds.
- Since U.S.-Iran hostilities began in March, USVs have been used on multiple occasions for SAR and combat-related missions within the CENTCOM area of responsibility.
Saronic USV Sets Historic Search and Rescue Precedent
U.S. Navy unmanned systems forces made history in Middle Eastern waters when a Saronic Corsair unmanned surface vessel (USV) successfully recovered two downed pilots — the first time a USV has ever been used to conduct a search and rescue (SAR) mission.
According to a report first published by The Wall Street Journal, two U.S. Army pilots were conducting a patrol mission in waters near Oman when their AH-64 Apache attack helicopter was shot down. President Donald Trump subsequently posted on social media confirming that Iranian forces had downed the aircraft and vowing retaliation.
Task Force 59 Demonstrates USV Operational Capability
U.S. Navy Task Force 59 (TF-59) deployed a recently acquired Saronic Corsair USV to conduct the rescue. The entire operation was completed in approximately two hours. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) issued a statement confirming that both pilots are in stable condition.
According to Saronic's specifications, the Corsair USV has an operational range exceeding 1,000 nautical miles and can carry a payload of up to 1,000 pounds. The vessel is one of several unmanned platforms operated by TF-59, a dedicated task force established to integrate new unmanned maritime and aerial systems from the United States and regional partners. General Brad Cooper, the current CENTCOM commander, previously highlighted TF-59's accomplishments on multiple occasions during his tenure as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.
Growing Role of USVs in U.S.-Iran Conflict
Since the outbreak of U.S.-Iran hostilities in March of this year, unmanned surface vessels have demonstrated their value in SAR and combat-related missions on multiple occasions within the CENTCOM area of responsibility. U.S. commanders have specifically emphasized the maritime domain awareness these vessels provide during operations against Iran, describing it as critical to operational decision-making.
This mission not only underscores the increasingly versatile role of USVs in military operations, but also sets a landmark precedent for the use of unmanned platforms in maritime search and rescue.
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