This was a first of its kind recovery!

Within roughly two hours of the crash, the Corsair arrived at the pilots’ position. Utilizing its low-profile hull and automated stabilization systems, the unmanned vessel successfully pulled the two stranded pilots from the water.

Because the 24-foot drone boat is built for rugged payload transport rather than long-term medical housing, it served as a critical, low-risk extraction mechanism. Once the pilots were safely secured on board, the Corsair transported them to a secondary, predetermined location further out at sea.

From there, a manned military helicopter rendezvoused with the surface drone, hoisting both airmen up into the aircraft for transport to a land-based medical facility.

The expanded focus on the use of drones in the battlefield is evident in both air and sea development. The video below captures some of that work.