Two crew members of a US Army AH-64 Apache helicopter that crashed near the Strait of Hormuz on Monday were rescued by an American sea drone, US officials told CBS News. It was the first such rescue operation carried out by US forces using an unmanned surface vessel.

US Central Command (Centcom) confirmed that the soldiers were safely rescued within approximately two hours and are in stable condition. The helicopter went down near the coast of Oman while patrolling regional waters. The rescue was led by US Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division, with support from Air Force and Navy units, including Task Force 59 of the US 5th Fleet.

The cause of the crash remains unclear, with investigations ongoing into whether it was due to mechanical failure or hostile fire from Iran. US President Donald Trump told reporters the crew members were “fine” and that a report would be issued later.

Task Force 59, which operated the drone, was established in 2024 to integrate unmanned systems with manned operators to enhance maritime security in the Middle East. According to ABC News, the drone used in the rescue had a speedboat-like design.

The incident highlights the growing role of unmanned systems in US military operations, particularly in the volatile region near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments.

Source: www.bbc.com