US Deploys Suicide Unmanned Boats in First Strike Against Iranian Naval Base

The United States military conducted its first operational use of autonomous unmanned boats in a strike against Iran on July 13, 2026. Three unmanned boats infiltrated the Bandar Abbas naval port and detonated at a maintenance facility for Iranian submarines and ships, marking a new phase in the ongoing conflict between Washington and Tehran. The attack was part of a broader wave of strikes amid escalating tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz.

The vessels used were Corsair model autonomous boats developed by Saronic Technologies. Each boat measures approximately 7.3 meters, can travel over 1,800 kilometers, carry up to 450 kilograms of explosives, and reach speeds of 35 knots (about 65 km/h). These boats are equipped with artificial intelligence systems for rapid sensor integration and autonomous operation. The Corsair boats were first deployed in the Middle East in March 2026 during Operation "Roar of the Lion" and have been tested by the US Navy for two years.

This strike represents the first combat use of these suicide drones by the US Navy, which previously employed them mainly for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering. The Fifth Fleet’s Task Force 59, based in Bahrain, leads the integration of unmanned maritime systems in the region and established a dedicated unit in 2024 to develop and operationalize these autonomous vessels.

Experts note that the US is accelerating the adoption of unmanned technologies in warfare, influenced by lessons from the Ukraine conflict and preparations for potential future confrontations with China. Ukraine pioneered the use of unmanned boats in naval warfare since 2022, targeting Russian naval assets with success, including reportedly disabling a Russian submarine with an unmanned underwater vehicle.

Despite their advantages, unmanned boats face challenges such as vulnerability to electronic warfare, limited range due to size, and communication difficulties with underwater units. Navies worldwide are adapting to this emerging threat, with Russia relocating some ships away from combat zones and the UK planning to build motherships to deploy swarms of unmanned boats.