The United States has started using uncrewed drone speedboats for patrol missions in its operations against Iran, the Pentagon said. This is the first time Washington has officially confirmed using such vessels in an active conflict.These boats can be used for surveillance or even as kamikaze strike platforms. Their deployment had not been publicly reported earlier and comes despite past challenges faced by the US Navy in developing a reliable fleet of unmanned surface vessels.
Rise of sea drones in modern warfare
Uncrewed boats have become more important in recent years. Ukraine used explosive-filled speedboats to damage Russia’s Black Sea Fleet during the war.Iran has also used sea drones to attack oil tankers in the Gulf at least twice since tensions escalated with US and Israeli strikes nearly a month ago. However, there is no indication that the US has used these vessels for offensive attacks so far.
Pentagon confirms use under ‘Operation Epic Fury ’
Responding to queries, Pentagon spokesperson Tim Hawkins said the vessels are being used as part of the US campaign against Iran, called “Operation Epic Fury.”“US forces continue to employ unmanned systems in the Middle East region, including surface drone assets like the GARC. This platform, in particular, has successfully logged over 450 underway hours and more than 2,200 nautical miles during maritime patrols in support of Operation Epic Fury,” Hawkins told Reuters.
What is the GARC system?
The vessels being used are called Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC), built by a company based in Maryland.GARC is designed for high-speed, unmanned operations in difficult maritime conditions. It has already been used in real Navy missions and supports both autonomous and remote control operationsThese drone boats can be used for a wide range of tasks such as intelligence gathering (ISR), communication support, and mine detection.Their modular design allows them to be quickly adapted for different missions, including surveillance, strikes, and maritime security operations.
Designed for large-scale deployment
GARC is not just a prototype but a system already in production. It is built at a shipyard in Baltimore that can produce one unit per day.With strong endurance, speed, and payload capacity, these vessels are designed to operate at scale and meet the needs of modern naval forces.
