Two crew members of a United States Army helicopter that crashed near the Strait of Hormuz have been successfully rescued by an American unmanned sea drone, marking a significant milestone in modern military rescue operations.
According to US military officials, the AH-64 Apache helicopter went down near the coast of Oman while conducting routine patrol operations in regional waters. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and investigations are ongoing to establish whether it resulted from mechanical failure, technical issues, or other factors.
The rescue operation was coordinated by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) in collaboration with the US Naval Forces Central Command and the 82nd Airborne Division. Additional support was provided by Air Force and Navy units operating within the region.
Military authorities confirmed that both crew members were located and rescued within approximately two hours of the incident. They were reported to be in stable condition following the operation.
Officials revealed that an unmanned surface vessel, operated under the US Navy’s Task Force 59, played a key role in the rescue. The operation represents the first known instance of US forces using a sea drone to directly assist in the recovery of military personnel following an aviation incident.
Task Force 59 was established to integrate unmanned systems with traditional military operations in an effort to strengthen maritime security across the Middle East. The unit has been actively developing and deploying advanced autonomous technologies for surveillance, reconnaissance, and operational support missions.
While details about the specific drone used in the rescue have not been officially disclosed, reports indicate it resembled a high-speed patrol boat capable of operating without onboard personnel.
US President Donald Trump later confirmed that the rescued crew members were safe and said a full report on the incident would be released following the completion of investigations.
The successful rescue highlights the growing role of autonomous technology in modern military operations and demonstrates the increasing capabilities of unmanned systems in emergency response and personnel recovery missions.
