The United States has deployed uncrewed drone speedboats for patrols as part of its operations against Iran, the Pentagon said, the first time Washington has confirmed using such vessels in an active conflict. The deployment of the vessels -- which can be used for surveillance or kamikaze strikes -- has not been previously reported. It comes despite a series of setbacks in the U.S. Navy’s years-long effort to field a fleet of uncrewed surface vessels, Reuters reported last year. There was no indication the U.S. had used uncrewed vessels for offensive strikes. forces continue to employ unmanned systems in the Middle East region, including surface drone assets like the GARC.

Source: The Telegraph March 27, 2026 07:40 UTC