Inside US navy's GARC kamikaze drone boat that breached a target warship

US Navy's Global Autonomous Reconnaissance Craft (GARC) kamikaze drone boat breached the decommissioned USS Peleliu during a sinking exercise at RIMPAC 2026.

The GARC is a 4.8-meter unmanned surface vessel developed by BlackSea Technologies, capable of speeds up to 40 knots and payload up to 1,000 pounds.

The event on July 17 involved multiple US and allied assets striking the former Tarawa-class amphibious assault ship.

Kamikaze USVs have transformed naval warfare, notably used by Ukraine's Magura drone boats against Russian warships and by US forces in strikes on Iranian targets.

The GARC operates under US Navy's Unmanned Surface Vessel Division 32 (USVDIV-32) for autonomous maritime strike missions.