The US military has used kamikaze drone boats in a combat operation for the first time, striking an Iranian submarine and ship maintenance facility. The attack, which took place on July 12, was carried out by three Saronic Corsair unmanned surface vessels. This marks a new precedent for the use of drone boats in kinetic operations, and could potentially reduce the burden on aircraft and crews for strikes.
The use of USVs in an attack role could also create another vector for kinetic operations against the enemy, complicating their defensive plans. The operation was part of a series of attacks against Iranian targets, amid ongoing tensions between the US and Iran over control of the Strait of Hormuz.
The deployment of kamikaze drone boats is the latest development in the conflict, which has seen the US and Iran trade strikes in recent weeks. The US has also reinstated a naval blockade on Iranian ports and imposed a toll on shipping, with President Trump stating that the US will be reimbursed for its efforts to provide security in the region.
