US deploys unmanned warship with carrier strike group for first time amid Iran tensions

The United States has for the first time deployed a large unmanned surface vessel with a carrier strike group heading to the Middle East. The move comes as President Donald Trump weighs additional military strikes against Iran, raising tensions in the region as the US bolsters its naval presence.

Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao announced at a recent Association of the United States Army event that an unmanned surface vessel had been assigned to the USS Theodore Roosevelt, which is currently en route to the Middle East, according to US military media reports Thursday (local time).

Cao described the Roosevelt as "the first aircraft carrier to deploy with a large unmanned surface vessel," calling it an enhancement to the strike group's combat power.

He said unmanned vessels are easier to build than conventional warships and do not require the complex life-support systems needed to protect a crew. He added that such unmanned capabilities could transform the nature of maritime warfare.

The Roosevelt departed San Diego, California, late last month and is expected to arrive in the Middle East later this month.

The unmanned surface vessel joining the carrier strike group is the Seahawk, developed by US defense contractor Leidos. A medium-sized autonomous vessel capable of navigating without a crew, it can automatically avoid restricted zones and other hazards with minimal human intervention.

The Seahawk can also maintain a degree of operational control even when primary communications networks are disrupted. It carries approximately 14,000 gallons of fuel and has a full-load displacement of 147 metric tons.

The US Navy has primarily used unmanned systems in the Middle East for intelligence gathering and surveillance. As the conflict with Iran has dragged on, however, the military has expanded their use to include port strikes and other offensive operations.

This deployment is particularly significant because it integrates unmanned surface vessels directly into carrier strike group operations.

Austin Gray, founder of US unmanned surface vessel developer Bluewater Autonomy, told Business Insider that small maritime drones alone are insufficient to support the operations of a heavily armed carrier strike group.

"Small maritime drones have less maneuverability than medium or large ones and cannot carry the necessary payload, making them unsuitable for supporting heavily armed carrier strike group operations," he said.

He added that large unmanned surface vessels "can carry missiles and drones as well as sensors and electronic jamming equipment, allowing them to support and protect a carrier strike group."

The vessels can conduct reconnaissance and surveillance around a carrier and, once armed with weapons and electronic warfare systems, could further strengthen the carrier's defenses. However, it has not been confirmed whether the Seahawk deployed this time is actually equipped with missiles or other armaments.

The Roosevelt's arrival in the Middle East is expected to significantly strengthen US carrier power in the region. Two carriers are currently deployed there, and the Roosevelt's arrival will temporarily bring that number to three.

The USS George Washington, dispatched to the Middle East in August, may rotate out and return to the Pacific once the Roosevelt arrives to take over its mission.

The buildup is drawing attention in the context of Trump's broader military strategy toward Iran.

Trump has said he does not intend to launch additional strikes against Iran before the Nov. 3 election, citing concerns about rising global oil prices and the potential political impact on the midterms.

Within the US, however, officials have not ruled out the possibility of further military action depending on how the situation evolves around the election.

CNN recently reported that the US military has drawn up new strike plans targeting Iran's energy infrastructure and nuclear facilities, and is even considering deploying the Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb — known as the "mother of all bombs" — in a potential attack.

The moves are seen as an effort to intensify military pressure on Iran while keeping additional strike options on the table. However, there is no confirmed evidence that the deployment of the unmanned surface vessel signals an imminent decision to strike Iran.