US Military Deploys Explosive Drone Boats in Combat for First Time

US Military Deploys Explosive Drone Boats in Combat for First Time">

The US military has for the first time in its history deployed explosive-laden drone boats into combat, targeting an Iranian midget submarine and naval port. This marks a significant shift in the use of autonomous systems in military operations. The US military released a video showing three 'one-way attack surface drones' exploding after approaching an Iranian midget submarine and ship maintenance facility at Iran's Bandar Abbas Naval Base on the night of July 12.

US Central Command described the strikes in a social media post as the 'first time American forces have employed sea drones in combat operations.' The drone boats were able to 'make a low-speed, uncontested approach' to their targets before exploding, according to USNI News, a news service from the nonprofit US Naval Institute. USNI News identified one of the targets as an Iranian Ghadir-class midget submarine that was out of the water while being suspended from a gantry. The use of such kamikaze sea drones by the United States comes nearly a decade after Iranian and Houthi forces first demonstrated such weapons.

Why this matters: The deployment of explosive drone boats by the US military marks a new era in the use of autonomous systems in combat. This development could have significant implications for the future of naval warfare, as it allows for greater standoff distances and potentially reduced risk to human life. For developers, this highlights the growing importance of autonomous systems in military applications, and the need for continued innovation in areas such as drone design, artificial intelligence, and command and control systems.

For businesses and consumers, this raises questions about the potential proliferation of such technologies and the need for clear guidelines and regulations around their use. As the use of autonomous systems in combat becomes more widespread, it will be crucial to consider the potential risks and benefits, as well as the implications for international relations and global security.