The crew of a U.S. Apache attack helicopter shot down by Iran was rescued by a drone-boat known as Corsair.Why it matters: It was a first-of-its-kind operation, with incredibly high stakes. It also offers a glimpse at future warfare, in which humans and smart, militarized machinery operate alongside one another.Driving the news: A spokesperson for Central Command, which oversees American military action across the greater Middle East, told Axios the Corsair "picked up" the crew and "transported them to another location on the water," where they were then "hoisted up to a helicopter."Both crew members are in stable condition.President Trump blamed Iran for shooting down the AH-64 Apache, which is made by Boeing, and vowed a military response.The intrigue: Saronic advertises Corsair as autonomous. It was not immediately clear how it was piloted during the rescue mission.It was operated by the Navy's Task Force 59, which was established in 2021 to experiment with unmanned tech and artificial intelligence and fold them into naval operations.Navy leadership has for years advocated for a hybrid fleet, or a mix of manned and unmanned ships.By the numbers: The Corsair, unveiled in October 2024, is 24 feet long. It can travel 1,000 nautical miles, carry 1,000 pounds and hit speeds greater than 35 knots. The Corsair is so much larger than two vessels previously unveiled by Saronic, Spyglass and Cutlass, that the fuel onboard weighs more than the other two boats combined.Follow the money: The Navy in December revealed it had inked a $392 million contract with Saronic for drone-boat production.Saronic CEO Dino Mavrookas started his career in the Navy and spent years with SEAL Team Six.Go deeper: Saronic will build 150-foot drone boats at Louisiana shipyardBarak Ravid contributed reporting.
