- U.S. Central Command has launched Task Force Scorpion Strike to field the military’s first one-way‑attack drone squadron in the Middle East.
- The task force is deploying Low‑cost Unmanned Combat Attack System drones designed for autonomous long‑range strike missions.
The U.S. military has activated its first one-way-attack drone squadron under a new task force based in the Middle East, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on December 3.
The move comes four months after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ordered an accelerated push to field affordable unmanned systems capable of delivering decisive effects in contested theaters.
The new unit, Task Force Scorpion Strike (TFSS), is tasked with deploying low-cost, autonomous strike drones to support forward operations in the region. According to CENTCOM, TFSS has already stood up a drone squadron built around the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System, or LUCAS — a platform designed to execute one-way attack missions against enemy targets.
“These drones are designed to operate autonomously, and they can be launched with different mechanisms including catapults, rocket-assisted takeoff, and mobile ground and vehicle systems,” CENTCOM said in a statement.
Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, described the launch of TFSS as a step toward using “innovation as a deterrent.”
“Equipping our skilled warfighters faster with cutting-edge drone capabilities showcases U.S. military innovation and strength, which deters bad actors,” Cooper said.
CENTCOM’s latest initiative builds on the September launch of the Rapid Employment Joint Task Force (REJTF), created under the command’s chief technology officer. The joint task force was set up to fast-track the deployment of emerging technologies to U.S. forces operating across CENTCOM’s area of responsibility. It focuses on three priority areas: capability integration, software development, and what CENTCOM refers to as “tech diplomacy.”
TFSS’s formation and operational focus align directly with REJTF’s capability area. Personnel from U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) are leading the development of the one-way-attack drone squadron, highlighting the priority placed on flexible, rapidly deployable tools for special operations forces.
The LUCAS drone is described as an autonomous system with extended operational range. Designed for low-cost precision strikes, it adds another layer of lethality to CENTCOM’s portfolio of unmanned systems operating in the region. Officials say these platforms offer new options for targeting adversary assets while minimizing risk to manned forces.
While CENTCOM has not released footage or further details about the LUCAS system’s specific payload or strike capabilities, officials emphasized the task force’s role in getting these platforms directly into the hands of operators.
“This new task force sets the conditions for using innovation as a deterrent,” Cooper said.