New Drone Squadron Deployed by U.S. Central Command

U.S. Central Command has initiated a task force aimed at deploying a unique type of “suicide drone” squadron to the Middle East. This, they claim, will foster innovation as a means of deterrence amidst escalating attacks by Iran and its affiliates in the region.

On Wednesday, CENTCOM revealed the establishment of Task Force Scorpion Strike. This move comes just four months after Army Secretary Pete Hegseth called for a swift deployment of economical drones as part of the Pentagon’s Drone Dominance Initiative. The squadron is already operational with Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones from an undisclosed location, as stated by the command.

According to reports, LUCAS drones are engineered to fly autonomously over extensive ranges using onboard sensors and AI. They can be launched from various platforms, including truck-mounted systems and mobile ground units. This versatility aims to combat the low-cost drones that Iran has been supplying to militias in regions from Yemen to Iraq.

Admiral Brad Cooper, who oversees CENTCOM, noted that this deployment indicates a strategic pivot. He mentioned, “Equipping our nation’s experienced warriors with advanced drone capabilities is a clear reflection of the U.S. military’s innovative strength against threats.”

CENTCOM has not disclosed specific details about the origins of the drones. However, it was noted that the LUCAS system emerged from a reverse-engineered Iranian Shahed drone captured years ago. Reports indicate that it was developed by Spec Works in Arizona, directly based on the Shahed 136 model, which Iran employs for various attacks.

The Spec Works variant features a triangular design with a wingspan of just over 8 feet and can operate for about six hours. Each unit costs around $35,000, significantly cheaper compared to conventional systems like the MQ-9 Reaper, which prices around $16 million.

This decision to deploy the squadron comes after an Iranian drone crash in Jordan that resulted in the deaths of three American service members. Additionally, over 70 drones have been intercepted during Iran’s extensive attacks on Israel in 2024, underscoring the increasing danger posed by these affordable, one-way munitions.

Special Operations Command personnel are developing the new force in coordination with CENTCOM’s Rapid Employment Joint Task Force, initiated to hasten the introduction of autonomous and new capabilities for deployed forces. The Pentagon’s goal is to implement new technologies in 60-day cycles, diverging from the traditional multi-year procurement process.

A defense official remarked that prior reliance on larger, slower, and pricier platforms “left our military at a disadvantage” against Iran’s inexpensive drones, a gap the Pentagon is now attempting to close by creating mass-produced, disposable drones modeled after the equipment Iran has been using.

While CENTCOM has not disclosed the exact number of drones currently deployed, they have indicated that “a large number” are operational and more are anticipated. Images released by the command depict a lineup of delta-wing drones prepared for launch, closely resembling Iran’s Shahed models.

As drone warfare continues to transform conflicts across regions, U.S. commanders assert that the introduction of the first one-way strike drone squadron marks a significant shift toward fast, low-cost attack systems aimed at countering Iran’s growing drone capabilities.