The US military has used Saronic Corsair uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) as strike weapons for the first time in combat. According to US Central Command, multiple one-way attack surface drones struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility at Iran’s Bandar Abbas Naval Base, with three Corsair USVs hitting the port and degrading Iran’s ability to target commercial shipping.

Yesterday, using multiple one-way attack surface drones, CENTCOM forces successfully struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran. Three Corsair unmanned surface vessels hit the port at Bandar Abbas Naval Base, marking the first time American forces have employed sea… pic.twitter.com/bOM2kmgRxz

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 13, 2026

The operation marks a major milestone in autonomous naval warfare, showing the growing role of AI-enabled systems in combat. The deployment follows earlier uses of drone boats for missions such as search and rescue and reflects a broader shift toward lower-cost, unmanned platforms.

The strikes came amid escalating US-Iran tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting how autonomous weapons are becoming increasingly important in future maritime conflicts.