US Central Command Deploys New Drone Squadron in Middle East

U.S. Central Command has deployed America's first one-way suicide drone squadron in the Middle East, known as Task Force Scorpion Strike. This deployment comes as Iran and its proxies increase low-cost attacks across the region.

The squadron features Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System drones, or LUCAS, which can fly autonomously and are equipped with onboard sensors and artificial intelligence. These drones can be launched from various platforms, including catapults and truck-mounted systems.

The LUCAS system was reportedly developed by reverse-engineering a captured Iranian Shahed drone. Each unit costs about $35,000, significantly less than traditional systems like the MQ-9 Reaper, which costs around $16 million.

The decision to activate this squadron follows numerous attacks by Iran-backed groups, including an incident in Jordan that killed three American service members. The Pentagon aims to close the gap created by reliance on larger, slower, high-cost platforms, moving towards mass-produced, expendable systems.

Images released show the drones staged for launch at an undisclosed location, reflecting designs similar to Iranian drones. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance U.S. military capabilities in the region and deter bad actors, as noted by CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper.