Two crew members from a US Army AH-64 Apache helicopter that went down near the Strait of Hormuz were successfully rescued by the autonomous surface vessel Corsair, a drone boat built by Saronic Technologies, a Texas-based company co-founded by Indian-American entrepreneur Vibhav Altekar.
The operation marked a historic milestone for the US military. While the armed forces have long relied on unmanned aerial systems, this was the first rescue mission conducted using an autonomous surface vessel. According to Captain Tim Hawkins, the Corsair was remotely controlled by a human operator, making it the first US rescue effort of its kind to be carried out by a drone boat, according to PTI.
AH-64 helicopters have been an important component of US military operations aimed at restricting Iranian oil exports and tanker movements as part of efforts to pressure into negotiations. The helicopters have also been deployed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in operations to intercept and destroy Iranian drones.
Who is Vibhav Altekar?
Vibhav Altekar, who earned a degree in electrical engineering from the University of , serves as the Chief Technology Officer at Saronic Technologies.
According to his profile on the company’s website, Altekar oversees the development of Saronic’s autonomous technologies and software infrastructure. He leads several key functions, including Forward Deployed Engineering, Product, Special Programs, and Software, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams focused on perception, navigation, machine learning, command-and-control systems, and systems integration.
Recognised for his expertise in autonomous systems and maritime technology, Altekar is an experienced perception engineer who has played a significant role in advancing technologies for the US Department of Defense throughout his career.
About the company and drone boat
The Corsair is a 24-foot autonomous surface vessel powered by a diesel engine. It can reach speeds of up to 35 knots, carry payloads weighing as much as 1,000 pounds, and operate over distances exceeding 1,000 nautical miles.
According to Saronic Technologies’ LinkedIn page, the company has secured a production contract worth USD 392 million with the US Navy for autonomous surface vessels. Based in Austin, Saronic Technologies was established in September 2022 by Dino Mavrookas, who served as a Navy SEAL for 11 years, along with three co-founders: Vibhav Altekar, Doug Lambert, and Rob Lehman.
US and Iran exchange fire
Meanwhile, the US carried out airstrikes against Iran early Wednesday, accusing Tehran of being responsible for the downing of an American Apache attack helicopter.
In response, Iran launched attacks on targets in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan, escalating the conflict and raising concerns that ongoing efforts to negotiate an end to the war could collapse.
Authorities in Bahrain and Kuwait activated warning systems and deployed air-defense measures after Iranian strikes targeted locations in both countries. Jordan reported intercepting and destroying five Iranian missiles aimed at a military base hosting US personnel.
Since the US and Israel began military operations against Iran on February 28, the conflict has disrupted global markets, pushed energy prices higher, and contributed to rising costs of essential goods, including food.
Diplomatic efforts to transform the ceasefire reached in April into a lasting peace agreement have stalled, particularly as Israel continues to expand its military campaign against Hezbollah, the Iran-backed armed group in Lebanon.
The Apache helicopter incident and subsequent US strikes placed additional pressure on the fragile ceasefire, which had already been tested by the first direct exchange of fire between Iran and Israel since the truce took effect. Iranian state media reported that Israeli attacks on Tuesday killed at least two members of the country’s air-defense forces.
