A drone boat has successfully picked up two US Army pilots from near the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first time the US military has used a drone for such a rescue mission at sea.

The incident occurred on June 8th when the crew members from an AH-64 Apache helicopter went down off the coast of Oman. They were ‘rescued by American forces’ just after 7:30 pm US Eastern Time, according to a US Central Command press release. Support came from Task Force 59 within the US Fifth Fleet, which integrates unmanned vehicles into maritime operations.

A military spokesperson reported that a drone with a 'speed boat-like design' delivered the pilots to a point in the water where they could be hoisted up by another helicopter. Captain Tim Hawkins of the US Navy confirmed that it was the US Navy Corsair unmanned surface vessel operated by U.S. 5th Fleet's Task Force 59.

The use of an unmanned drone for rescue operations is significant, reflecting advancements in technology and its application in real-world scenarios. This development could pave the way for more efficient and safer maritime rescue missions in the future.