U.S. Navy Sea Drones Make Combat Debut in Operations Near Hormuz

The U.S. military has employed autonomous maritime systems in combat for the first time, with U.S. Central Command confirming that unmanned surface vessels participated in strikes against Iranian naval infrastructure as Washington continues operations aimed at protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

According to CENTCOM, U.S. forces carried out a wave of strikes against Iranian targets on July 12, using fighter aircraft, naval vessels, one-way attack aerial drones, and one-way attack sea drones to hit air-defense systems, coastal radar sites, missile and drone capabilities, and small boats. 

In a separate update posted Monday, CENTCOM said three Corsair unmanned