U.S. Launches One-Way-Attack (Kamikaze) Drone Force in the Middle East

TAMPA, Fla. – On Dec. 3, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced a new task force for the U.S. military’s first one-way-attack drone squadron based in the Middle East. 

CENTCOM launched Task Force Scorpion Strike (TFSS) four months after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth directed acceleration of the acquisition and fielding of affordable drone technology. TFSS is designed to quickly deliver low cost and effective drone capabilities into the hands of warfighters. 

The new task force has already formed a squadron of Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones currently based in the Middle East. 

LUCAS drones deployed by CENTCOM have an extensive range and are designed to operate autonomously. They can be launched with different mechanisms to include catapults, rocket-assisted takeoff, and mobile ground and vehicle systems.