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US uses unmanned surface drones to strike Iranian submarine base
The strike involved three USVs, including a 7.3-metre Corsair that reportedly can keep operating even if its communications link is cut.
Chinese military analysts are urging the People’s Liberation Army to rapidly strengthen harbor defenses after the United States carried out what US Central Command described as its first combat strike using unmanned surface vessels to destroy an Iranian submarine.
According to SCMP Economy, US Central Command released footage on July 13 showing three unmanned vessels striking an Iranian base, reportedly destroying a Ghadir-class midget submarine designed for shallow coastal operations including minelaying and support for special forces missions.
The report says Iranian-made submarines in the Ghadir class have an underwater displacement of less than 150 tonnes, while CCTV said the US Corsair USV used in the operation, built by Saronic Technologies, was not specifically designed as a suicide weapon.
SCMP Economy adds that the Corsair uses electro-optical and infrared sensors, has a modular payload, and supports autonomous navigation and machine-learning functions that allow it to continue a mission even if communications are interrupted.