The United States Navy has turned to a new kind of warfare tool in one of the world’s most dangerous maritime chokepoints: underwater drones. As tensions escalate in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage that carries roughly 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas, the Navy is quietly deploying robotic systems to locate and neutralize sea mines. The goal is simple but critical: restore safe passage for global shipping while avoiding further escalation with Iran.
A Waterway Under Pressure
The Strait of Hormuz has become a flashpoint in a broader conflict between the United States and Iran. Iran has repeatedly closed the strait, fired on vessels, and warned commercial ships to avoid key shipping lanes due to the presence of mines. Even when officials claim the waterway is open, the threat of attack has been enough to keep ships away.
Military analysts emphasize that clearing mines is essential before normal traffic can resume. Without that assurance, shipping companies are unwilling to risk transit through the main channels, instead diverting to slower, more congested routes near Iran’s coastline.
The uncertainty itself is a weapon. As one expert noted, “We aren’t even certain that there are mines… But the underlying threat is enough [to deter passage].”
Why Robot Drones Are the Answer
Traditionally, mine-clearing operations required ships and crews to pass directly over potentially explosive areas, putting lives at significant risk. That approach is now being replaced by unmanned systems.
Sea drones, both on the surface and underwater, use sonar to scan the ocean floor for mines. These systems allow the Navy to conduct operations without exposing sailors to danger. The shift is not just about safety, but also efficiency and scale.
“You’re less concerned about attrition, so sending them through the minefield is much more palatable,” said Scott Savitz, a senior engineer at the RAND Corporation. “If you lose some they can be replaced.”
This ability to absorb losses and continue operations makes drones ideal for hazardous environments like the Strait of Hormuz.
The Machines Doing the Work
The Navy is deploying a range of advanced unmanned systems, many developed by leading defense contractors.
One of the primary tools is the Common Uncrewed Surface Vessel, built by RTX Corporation. This drone tows the AQS-20 sonar system, which scans the seabed in swaths roughly 100 feet wide. It systematically patrols the water, mapping potential mine locations.
Below the surface, the Navy is using battery-powered underwater drones such as the MK18 Mod 2 Kingfish and the Knifefish, both produced by General Dynamics. These drones can be launched from small boats and programmed to sweep the ocean floor in precise patterns, identifying suspicious objects.
In Europe, companies like Euroatlas are pushing the technology further. Their Greyshark drone can travel at 10 knots for six hours or operate at slower speeds for much longer missions. Future versions are expected to last for weeks using fuel cell systems, dramatically extending operational range.
These drones are capable of capturing high-resolution images and even identifying objects autonomously, reducing the burden on human operators.
How the Mine-Clearing Process Works
The operation unfolds in stages. First, drones conduct a rapid survey of the seabed, identifying potential mines. This initial scan can be completed quickly, especially in a confined area like the Strait of Hormuz.
“You can get a small channel in that area surveyed in days not weeks using Unmanned Underwater Vehicles,” said Kevin Donegan, a former U.S. Navy vice admiral.
Once mines are located, a second wave of drones or specialized teams moves in to neutralize them. This can involve detonating the mines remotely, disarming them, or triggering controlled explosions.
After a single safe lane is established, traffic can begin to flow again. “Traffic can then begin to flow in this smaller channel that could be widened over time,” Donegan explained.
Strategic Leverage and Global Stakes
The use of drones is not just a tactical decision. It carries significant strategic implications.
By demonstrating the ability to reopen the strait independently, the United States may weaken Iran’s control over the waterway. This could shift the balance in ongoing negotiations.
“If you’re the U.S. and you can start to check for mines… and the Iranians can start to see that their grip over the strait is starting to loosen, they might be more inclined to go to the negotiating table,” said Bryan Clark, a former senior Navy official.
At the same time, the stakes are enormous. Even a small number of mines, possibly deployed from fishing boats or small cargo vessels, can disrupt global energy markets. Analysts estimate that Iran may have laid only a dozen or two dozen mines, but that is enough to create widespread uncertainty.
A Safer and Smarter Way Forward
The shift to unmanned mine-clearing represents a broader transformation in naval warfare. Drones reduce risk, increase speed, and allow operations in environments that would otherwise be too dangerous.
As one naval officer put it, autonomous systems mean “those 40 lives no longer have to be put at direct risk.”
