The US Central Command (CENTCOM), responsible for US military operations in the Middle East, announced the establishment of its first suicide drone unit on 3/12, which will be stationed in the region.
Named the Scorpion Strike Special Operations Team (TFSS), the unit was established 4 months after US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called for accelerated procurement of affordable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and drones. The TFSS operates LUCAS, a UAV described as a replica of Iran's Shahed-136 series.
According to CENTCOM, LUCAS drones offer long flight range and autonomous operation. They can be deployed through various mechanisms, including catapults, solid rocket boosters, and mobile or fixed launchers.
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US LUCAS UAV in an image released on 3/12. *CENTCOM*
"The special operations team creates a foundation for innovative deterrence," CENTCOM stated. "Expeditiously equipping soldiers with advanced UAVs and drones demonstrates the strength and innovation of the US military, helping to deter malign actors."
A US official later described the formation of the TFSS squadron and the deployment of LUCAS UAVs to the Middle East as "a significant step, providing a way to turn the tables on Iran."
Another US official indicated that the TFSS would comprise approximately 20 soldiers. "I won't specify the number of UAVs deployed, but there are certainly enough to provide significant combat capability," the official said. "LUCAS features autonomous coordination, suitable for swarm attack tactics and network-centric warfare."
Colonel Tim Hawkins, CENTCOM spokesperson, stated that each LUCAS UAV costs approximately $35,000 USD. He described it as a low-cost asset capable of delivering advanced combat capabilities at a fraction of the investment required for traditional US military systems.
The core design of LUCAS is directly based on Iran's Shahed-136 UAV. A US official mentioned that the US military had acquired a Shahed, studied it, and used reverse engineering to create a corresponding aircraft. "LUCAS is the product of this reverse-engineering effort. The aircraft is nearly identical to the Shahed's design," the official stated.
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US LUCAS UAV in an image released on 3/12. *CENTCOM*
US officials confirmed that the TFSS has not yet deployed LUCAS in combat, but has used the UAVs to attack simulated targets during tests in the Middle East. "We have added an attack capability deemed effective, particularly in making the nation that once led in long-range suicide UAV technology vulnerable to its own creation," a US official declared.
Nguyen Tien (According to AP, AFP, War Zone)
