For the first time in its history, the US military deployed explosive-laden drone boats in combat, attacking an Iranian midget submarine and naval port. The operation took place on the night of July 12, 2026, targeting Iran's Bandar Abbas Naval Base. US Central Command confirmed the strike, describing it as the first time American forces employed sea drones in combat operations.
The drone boats, known as Saronic Corsair autonomous surface vessels, executed a low-speed, uncontested approach toward their targets before detonating. According to USNI News, one target was a Ghadir-class midget submarine suspended from a gantry out of the water. The successful attack demonstrated the growing capability and tactical value of uncrewed surface vehicles in modern naval warfare.
The Corsair drone boat, developed by Saronic Technologies based in Austin, Texas, measures 24 feet in length and can carry up to 1,000 pounds of payload. It has a range exceeding 1,000 nautical miles and a top speed surpassing 34 knots. The vessel operates autonomously, capable of long-range navigation, patrol missions, and loitering at specific positions without direct human control. For this strike, it was likely equipped with a high-explosive warhead. Saronic describes the Corsair as a multi-mission platform that can be configured for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, or direct attack roles. Its modular design allows rapid swapping of payloads between missions, making it a flexible asset for naval commanders.
This strike followed an earlier non-combat use of a Corsair drone boat on June 8, 2026, when the US military employed one to rescue two Army helicopter pilots after their AH-64 Apache was downed by an Iranian Shahed drone off the coast of Oman. That rescue mission highlighted the versatility of sea drones for both combat and support roles. In that operation, the Corsair autonomously navigated to the pilots' location, provided a stable platform for recovery, and transported them to a nearby Navy vessel without requiring a crew to risk exposure.
The United States is not the first nation to use explosive drone boats, often called kamikaze or suicide drones. The first confirmed use occurred on January 30, 2017, when Houthi forces struck the Royal Saudi Naval frigate Al Madinah with an unmanned remote-controlled boat. A US Navy commander indicated that Iran likely provided technical assistance for that weapon, reflecting Tehran's long support for the Houthi movement. That attack set a precedent for asymmetric naval warfare, showing how non-state actors could threaten conventional warships with low-cost unmanned systems.
More recently, Ukraine has pioneered the use of drone boats in asymmetric naval warfare since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Despite lacking a traditional navy, Ukraine employed explosive drone boats to attack Russian warships and tankers, forcing the Russian Black Sea Fleet to withdraw from vulnerable bases. Ukrainian drone boats achieved several milestones, including shooting down Russian helicopters with missiles and deploying small drones for air defense suppression. In a remarkable operation, a Ukrainian drone boat even carried an armed ground robot onto contested coastal territory, executing an unprecedented amphibious assault. These innovations demonstrated the potential for sea drones to level the playing field against a larger naval power.
The US military's adoption of sea drones follows a broader trend of utilizing low-cost, asymmetric weapons. During the ongoing war with Iran, US forces also deployed one-way aerial attack drones known as LUCAS, which are based on Iranian Shahed drones. These systems provide a cost-effective alternative to expensive hunter-killer Reaper drones, which have suffered heavy losses in the conflict—over $1 billion worth shot down by Iranian air defenses. The LUCAS drones, like the Corsair boats, are designed to be expendable and can be produced in large numbers, allowing the US military to saturate enemy defenses.
The decision to use drone boats reflects a strategic shift in US naval doctrine, incorporating lessons from adversaries and allies alike. By employing unmanned systems for both surveillance and strikes, the US aims to reduce risk to human personnel and lower the cost of operations. The Saronic Corsair drones are part of a new generation of cheaper, expendable platforms that can be mass-produced and deployed in swarms. The US Navy has been testing other unmanned surface vessels, such as the Sea Hunter and the Mine Countermeasure USV, but the Corsair is the first to see direct combat.
The July 12 attack came amid a broader US military campaign against Iranian targets following the collapse of a ceasefire negotiated by President Donald Trump. Conventional strikes by fighter aircraft and warships accompanied the drone boat operation, indicating a multi-domain approach to degrading Iran's naval capabilities. The use of sea drones may become more common as the US military continues to refine its unmanned warfare tactics. In the weeks leading up to the strike, US naval forces had increased patrols in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.
The Iranian midget submarine targeted in the strike represents a key asset for Tehran's asymmetric naval strategy. Ghadir-class submarines are small, coastal submarines capable of laying mines and launching torpedoes, posing a threat to larger US naval vessels. Destroying one at port reduces Iran's ability to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint. By taking out the submarine while it was out of the water for maintenance, the US military eliminated a potential threat without risking a direct engagement at sea.
Analysis of the drone boat's performance will likely inform future procurement decisions. The US Navy has been exploring various unmanned surface vessels for missions ranging from mine countermeasures to intelligence gathering. The Corsair's successful combat debut validates the concept of using purpose-built kamikaze drone boats, akin to the aerial loitering munitions that have become widespread in modern conflicts. The Navy is expected to increase orders for Corsair and similar platforms, potentially awarding contracts for hundreds of units in the coming year.
However, the use of such weapons also raises questions about escalation and proliferation. As the US adopts drone boats, other nations may seek similar capabilities, potentially leading to an arms race in unmanned naval systems. International laws of armed conflict may need to address the autonomous operation of such vessels, particularly when they are programmed to identify and engage targets without human input. The Corsair's autonomy is not absolute; human operators oversee its missions and can override decisions, but the line between semi-autonomous and fully autonomous attack is becoming blurred.
Despite these concerns, the US military shows no signs of slowing down its adoption of drone boats. With the Corsair's combat debut, the era of unmanned naval warfare has fully arrived. Future conflicts will likely see greater reliance on such systems, as both state and non-state actors integrate them into their fleets. The US military is currently trying to procure a new generation of cheaper surveillance and strike drones, especially after losing dozens of costly hunter-killer Reaper drones collectively worth more than $1 billion in the war against Iran. The experience gained from the July 12 strike will accelerate these efforts, driving innovation in autonomous maritime operations. Meanwhile, US defense companies like Saronic are racing to scale production, aiming to deliver hundreds of drone boats within months to meet combatant commanders' demands.
Source: Ars Technica News