The Pentagon has confirmed that the United States has deployed unmanned high-speed drone boats for patrols in operations against Iran for the first time. The devices can be used for surveillance or suicide attacks, and their use in active conflict has not been reported so far.
Pentagon Central Command spokesman Tim Hawkins said that the unmanned vessels from Maryland-based BlackSea, known as the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC), were used as part of the “Operation Epic Fury” campaign, Reuters reports.
“The platform has successfully logged more than 450 hours of navigation and more than 2,200 nautical miles during patrols,” Hawkins said.
Iran has used sea-based drones to attack oil tankers in the Gulf in recent weeks, while there is no indication that the American vessels have been used for offensive strikes.
The US has been trying for years to develop a fleet of autonomous surface and underwater vessels as a cheaper and faster alternative to manned ships and submarines, particularly to counter China’s growing naval power.
However, the project has been plagued by delays, technical problems and failed tests.
Last year, Reuters reported that the GARC, a boat about five meters long, had several safety and performance problems, including a collision with another
More than a million Iranians mobilized for potential ground conflict
More than a million Iranians have been mobilized for a potential ground conflict with US military forces, the Mehr news agency reported, citing unnamed sources.
On Wednesday, March 25, Wall Street Journal reporter Alex Ward reported that a ground operation by US forces in Iran was reportedly already planned and could begin soon.
The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28. Tehran responded with attacks on Israel and US military bases in the Middle East.
