The U.S. military utilized attack sea drones in combat for the first time during an assault on an Iranian naval port. On Sunday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed the deployment of multiple sea surface drones to target a submarine and ship maintenance facility at the Bandar Abbas Naval Base in the Strait of Hormuz.
A video from CENTCOM captured three sea drones approaching a dock housing a small submarine before exploding. The extent of the damage remains unclear, but the explosions generated large smoke plumes and possibly initiated a fire. CENTCOM declared the mission a success, stating it diminished Iran’s capacity for attacking commercial shipping in the area.
Texas-based Saronic, the company behind the Corsair Autonomous Service Vehicle, acknowledged its role in the attack. These 24-foot drones, capable of carrying up to 1,000 pounds over 1,000 nautical miles at 35 knots, were used in the operation. Saronic first introduced the Corsair in October 2024, securing a $392 million production contract with the U.S. Navy by December 2025.
The use of drones, a key tactic in modern warfare, has become emblematic of the ongoing Ukraine conflict against Russia. The recent attack on Iran mirrors similar strategies employed by Ukraine in the Black Sea against Russian forces.
CENTCOM spokesman Captain Tim Hawkins noted the deployment of new capabilities in the Middle East conflict, emphasizing the importance of equipping U.S. forces with advanced tools to boost combat effectiveness.
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