In a groundbreaking maritime operation, a U.S. Navy autonomous surface drone successfully rescued two crew members following the crash of an Army AH-64 Apache helicopter. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. local time off the coast of Oman. According to Navy Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for Central Command, the drone—a 24-foot autonomous vessel known as the Corsair—was deployed to the scene because of its proximity and specific capabilities. The unmanned craft recovered the pilots from the water and transported them to a secondary location, where they were subsequently lifted to safety by a separate helicopter.

The rescue marks a significant milestone for the U.S. 5th Fleet’s Task Force 59, a specialized unit focused on integrating artificial intelligence and unmanned systems into routine maritime missions. While the cause of the helicopter crash remains under investigation, officials confirmed that the two soldiers were rescued within two hours of the incident. Although early reports from former President Donald Trump suggested the pilots were uninjured, Central Command stated that both individuals are currently in stable condition as the military continues to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the crash in these sensitive regional waters.