Two U.S. Army pilots were rescued from waters near the Strait of Hormuz after their Apache helicopter went down, in what officials described as a groundbreaking military operation. The rescue was carried out by an autonomous unmanned vessel, marking what is believed to be the first publicly known U.S. military rescue mission involving a crewless boat. The operation highlights the growing role of advanced technology in modern military missions.

The autonomous vessel, developed by Austin-based defense company Saronic, reached the pilots after the helicopter incident and assisted in the rescue effort. The successful mission demonstrated how unmanned systems can operate in dangerous environments while reducing risks to additional personnel. The development represents a major step forward in the use of autonomous platforms for military support and emergency response.