In a significant military development, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Monday that U.S. forces utilized one-way attack sea drones in combat for the first time. The operation, which took place on Sunday, targeted a submarine and ship maintenance facility located at the Bandar Abbas Naval Base on the Iranian coast within the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM released video footage documenting the strike, providing an aerial perspective of three small sea drones as they sped toward a raised dock. The dock appeared to house a small submarine. While the exact extent of the damage remains unclear, the video captured the drones detonating upon impact, with subsequent explosions sending plumes of smoke into the air. The final blast shown in the footage appeared to ignite a large fire.
Describing the mission as successful, CENTCOM stated that the operation effectively degraded Iran's capacity to continue targeting commercial shipping throughout the region. Captain Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for CENTCOM, emphasized that the deployment of new capabilities is a priority for the command to enhance combat effectiveness. He noted that equipping warfighters with cutting-edge tools remains a central focus for U.S. forces operating in the Middle East.
The drones used in the attack were identified as 24-foot Corsair Autonomous Service Vehicles, manufactured by the Texas-based company Saronic. Following the announcement, Saronic expressed pride in their technology supporting the mission and aiding in the safety of U.S. armed forces. According to the manufacturer, the Corsair drone is capable of carrying a payload of up to 1,000 pounds over 1,000 nautical miles, reaching speeds of 35 knots.
Saronic, which is based in Austin, publicly unveiled the Corsair in October 2024. By December 2025, the company had secured a $392 million production contract with the U.S. Navy, moving the vessel from prototype to production in less than one year. The use of these drones reflects a broader trend in modern warfare, drawing parallels to the extensive use of sea drones by Ukraine against the Russian navy in the Black Sea.
