Sea Drone Saves US Helicopter Crew off Hormuz

Sat Jun 13 2026 11:29:47 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

US Navy sea drone pulls two soldiers from crashed Apache helicopter in waters off Oman, the first unmanned rescue in the Middle East.

A U.S. Navy unmanned surface vessel successfully rescued two soldiers from a crashed AH‑64 Apache helicopter near the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first time such a drone has performed a maritime rescue in the region. The crews were taken aboard by a speed‑boat‑like drone operated by Task Force 59 of the U.S. 5th Fleet after the aircraft went down while patrolling near Oman. No immediate cause has been determined—whether it was a mechanical failure or an external attack remains under investigation. The U.S. Central Command announced the crew were in stable condition after being rescued at 19:33 EDT. The incident underscores the growing use of unmanned systems in both combat and support roles across the Middle East.

Sea Drone Saves US Helicopter Crew off Hormuz

A U.S. Navy response drone pulled two soldiers from an AH‑64 Apache helicopter that crashed in the waters off Oman, marking the first time an unmanned surface vessel has performed a rescue operation in the region.

The incident happened Monday night near the Strait of Hormuz, where the helicopter was on a patrol mission. Central Command said the crew were rescued at 19:33 EDT, within about two hours, and are now reported to be in stable condition.

Task Force 59, part of the U.S. 5th Fleet, operated a speed‑boat‑like drone that hauled the soldiers aboard. The exact cause of the crash remains unclear, with investigations underway to determine whether mechanical failure or external fire was involved.

This rescue operation is part of a broader effort by Task Force 59 to deploy unmanned systems alongside manned units for maritime security across the Middle East—a strategy that began in 2024. U.S. officials have stated the crew are fine, and a follow‑up report on the incident is expected soon.

The use of an unmanned surface vessel in this capacity highlights how drone technology is increasingly shaping both combat and support roles for modern militaries.