US Central Command has established Task Force Scorpion Strike, the military’s first dedicated one-way attack drone squadron in the Middle East.
The initiative aims to accelerate the deployment of affordable unmanned systems.
Task Force Scorpion Strike operates low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones capable of long-range, autonomous missions.
LUCAS systems can be deployed using multiple methods, including rail or tube catapults, rocket-assisted takeoff, and mobile ground or vehicle-mounted systems, allowing them to operate from both fixed sites and maneuvering forces.
Personnel from US Special Operations Command Central lead the task force’s operations, integrating it into CENTCOM’s broader effort to rapidly field emerging technologies and enhance operational capabilities.
“This new task force sets the conditions for using innovation as a deterrent,” said CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper.
“Equipping our skilled warfighters faster with cutting-edge drone capabilities showcases US military innovation and strength, which deters bad actors.”
Boosting Innovation
Task Force Scorpion Strike is part of a wider effort to equip US forces with new unmanned systems and counter-drone capabilities.
In September, CENTCOM established the Rapid Employment Joint Task Force to accelerate the integration of emerging technologies for deployed units.
The task force coordinates efforts in capability development, software, and technology integration across different military branches.
The announcement followed the Red Sands exercise in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East’s largest live-fire counter-drone drill, where more than 300 US and Saudi personnel tested 20 systems for detecting, tracking, and neutralizing drones.
In June, the US Army tested the Tactical Resupply Vehicle‑150 drone in a training exercise in the CENTCOM area, simulating realistic battlefield conditions.
The drone can carry up to 150 pounds (68 kilograms) of supplies, allowing troops to receive equipment without entering danger zones.
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