HDCU-113

• Unit Origins: HDCU-113, or Helicopter Drone Control Unit 113, was established in the late 1970s as part of the U.S. Navy’s effort to pioneer remote and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations for naval missions. • First Missions: The unit’s earliest missions involved controlling the QH-50 DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter), a remotely piloted helicopter designed to deliver torpedoes against enemy submarines. • Cold War Role: During the Cold War, HDCU-113 played a vital part in patrolling and defending U.S. Navy fleets against potential Soviet submarine threats, especially in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. • Technological Pioneers: Personnel from HDCU-113 were among the first to experiment with ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore drone communications, laying the groundwork for modern UAV datalinks. • Cuban Missile Crisis: There are unconfirmed reports that HDCU-113’s drone helicopters provided reconnaissance during the tense days of the Cuban Missile Crisis, helping to monitor Soviet vessels from a safe distance. • Vietnam War Service: Members of HDCU-113 supported naval operations off the coast of Vietnam, using drone helicopters for surveillance, supply drops, and anti-submarine warfare. • Unit Patch: The unit’s insignia features a stylized drone helicopter over ocean waves, symbolizing their maritime UAV expertise. • Deactivation and Legacy: HDCU-113 was deactivated in the late 1980s as newer, more advanced unmanned systems took over, but many of its veterans later contributed to the development of the Navy’s MQ-8 Fire Scout program. • Secret Test Flights: Declassified documents reveal that HDCU-113 conducted night-time test flights of prototype drones from aircraft carriers, pushing the limits of remote piloting technology. • Historical Recognition: In 2019, HDCU-113 was recognized at the Naval Aviation Museum for its pioneering role in the transition from manned to unmanned naval aviation.