An unmanned US Navy vessel reportedly carried out a historic rescue after an American Apache attack helicopter went down near the Strait of Hormuz following an encounter with an Iranian drone.
The AH-64 Apache was flying a routine patrol off Oman when it was struck by what American officials identified as an Iranian drone, possibly a Shahed. It remains unclear whether the collision was deliberate or accidental.
Both pilots escaped the helicopter and survived approximately two hours in the water before being located by a 24-foot Corsair unmanned surface vessel operated by the US Fifth Fleet’s Task Force 59.
The operation was reportedly the first fully operational maritime rescue conducted entirely by an autonomous vessel. The two pilots were recovered safely and were not injured.