Mike Baker

The crash also adds to a growing list of American aircraft losses during the conflict.

US fighter jets, tankers, and numerous drones have been damaged or destroyed since hostilities began.

Numerous unmanned aircraft have been shot down by Iranian forces, while several manned aircraft have been lost to accidents or friendly fire.

But what makes this story particularly noteworthy is not necessarily the loss of the helicopter.

It's the rescue.

Task Force 59 was created to integrate artificial intelligence, autonomous vessels, and other unmanned systems into U.S.

military operations across the Middle East.

The unit has spent years experimenting with drone boats capable of surveillance, reconnaissance, mine detection, and logistical support.

While the military had previously rehearsed search and rescue scenarios involving unmanned vessels, this appears to be the first time that one has successfully recovered American personnel during a real-world emergency.

For generations, rescuing downed pilots meant sending additional pilots, sailors, or special operations forces into danger.

Increasingly, however, those missions may be performed by machines.

The image is striking.

Two American aviators floating in the waters of the Gulf after their helicopter is shot down while an autonomous vessel races to their position and carries them towards safety.

The military often talks about the future of warfare in terms of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.

Most of the time, though, those discussions feel abstract.

This rescue kind of puts it in perspective.

But there's another lesson here as well.

An Iranian drone appears to have brought down one of the U.S.

military's most advanced attack helicopters.

Moments later, an American unmanned vessel helped save the lives of the crew.