"Next level": Unmanned U.S Navy boat fires weapons in Middle East for first time

An unmanned U.S. Navy vessel successfully fired "lethal munitions" in international waters in the Middle East, officials announced Thursday, marking the first time such an exercise has been carried out in the region. The Navy said the unprecedented drill, which was captured on video, has taken its capabilities to the "next level."

The exercise — dubbed Digital Talon — was carried out by the Navy's Task Force 59, a team focusing on unmanned and artificial intelligence, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command said in a news release. On Oct. 23, members of the task force identified and targeted simulated hostile forces using a method called "manned-unmanned teaming," and launched live munitions from an unmanned vessel to destroy a target boat, officials said.