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WASHINGTON / MANAMA — The Pentagon confirmed on Thursday, March 26, 2026, that the United States has deployed uncrewed drone speedboats for active patrols in the Persian Gulf as part of “Operation Epic Fury.” This marks the first time in history that Washington has officially confirmed the use of autonomous surface vessels in an active military conflict.
The deployment of these “sea drones” is seen as a direct strategic pivot to counter Iran’s notorious asymmetric naval tactics, which have frequently utilized small, explosive-laden craft to harass global shipping.
The GARC: America’s New “Ghost” Patrol
The centerpiece of this unmanned fleet is the Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC), a five-meter-long, angular speedboat built by Maryland-based defense contractor BlackSea.
- Operational Success: Capt. Tim Hawkins, a spokesperson for U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), stated that the GARC platform has already logged over 450 underway hours and more than 2,200 nautical miles during maritime patrols in the current conflict.
- Dual-Purpose Capability: While currently being used for “maritime domain awareness” (surveillance), the Pentagon acknowledged that these vessels are technically capable of executing kamikaze-style strikes, similar to the tactics used by Ukraine against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
- Stable Zone: Despite years of technical setbacks and testing failures—including a reported collision during trials—Pentagon officials suggest the Navy’s unmanned strategy has finally entered a “stable zone” of real-world combat utility.
Countering Iran’s “Guerrilla” Navy
Military experts at the Hudson Institute analyze this deployment as a move to seize full control of Middle East waters by building a “dense surveillance network” that doesn’t risk American lives.
| Feature | GARC (U.S. Drone Boat) | IRGC Small Craft (Iran) |
| Control | Fully autonomous / Remote. | Often manned or remotely piloted. |
| Stealth | High (Angular, low-profile design). | Moderate (Often disguised as fishing boats). |
| Role | Constant surveillance & precision intercept. | Swarm tactics & mine-laying. |
| Resilience | Designed to operate in high-threat zones. | Vulnerable to air strikes (120+ destroyed since Feb 28). |
The “Ukraine Effect”
The Pentagon’s decision to go public with this technology follows the massive success of Ukrainian maritime drones. With Iran having used its own sea drones to attack at least two oil tankers since the start of the war, the U.S. is now fighting “fire with fire” at sea.
- Cost Efficiency: Using a drone boat to monitor the Gulf is significantly cheaper than patrolling with a multi-billion dollar Arleigh Burke-class destroyer.
- Strategic Shield: These drones act as a “tripwire” near the Strait of Hormuz, allowing the U.S. 5th Fleet to detect Iranian mine-laying or swarm preparation in real-time.
- Operation Epic Fury: The GARC is now a permanent fixture in the “Total Infrastructure Phase” preparations, providing the data needed for the potential April 6 escalation.
What’s Next?
As the 10-day pause remains in effect, these drone boats are expected to increase their patrol frequency to ensure Tehran does not use the diplomatic window to sneak naval assets or mines into the shipping lanes.
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