US Deploys GARC Naval Drones in Middle East: What They Are Capable Of

The United States has deployed naval unmanned platforms for reconnaissance, missile guidance and patrol operations in Middle Eastern waters as part of Operation Epic Fury.

This was reported by Stars and Stripes.

The report said Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) drones were used in the operation, logging more than 450 hours at sea and covering more than 2,200 nautical miles during patrols in support of US operations against Iran.

The report on the use of unmanned surface vessels by the US Navy comes as Washington considers options to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers and other commercial shipping.

Tehran has effectively restricted shipping through the strait since the start of hostilities in late February, carrying out attacks on vessels in the strategic waterway using missiles and drones.

Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC)

GARC naval drones were developed for the US Navy by Black Sea Technologies.

The platform is designed to perform a wide range of tasks, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), communications relay and mine countermeasures.

A number of incidents were also recorded during testing. In August 2025, US naval drones were involved in several accidents.
Devices from Saronic and Black Sea Technologies, competitors in the market, collided.

A few weeks earlier, another incident occurred. During a separate test, a Black Sea Technologies drone being towed by a support vessel suddenly accelerated and overturned the tug, throwing its captain into the water.

Preliminary reports suggest both incidents were caused by a combination of software glitches and human error, including communication failures between onboard systems and autonomous software.

GARC specifications:

• Dimensions: 4.8 m (length) × 1.75 m (width)
• Full displacement: approximately 2,177 kg
• Payload capacity: approximately 454 kg
• Diesel fuel capacity: approximately 617 l
• Engine power: approximately 147 kW
• Speed: approximately 41 km/h (cruising), approximately 74 km/h (maximum)
• Range: approximately 2,963 km at 9.3 km/h / approximately 1,296 km at 40.7 km/h