The United States has used its Low‑Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones in combat for the first time, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed on Saturday, February 28. The one‑way attack drones, which are based on Iran’s Shahed‑136 design, were launched from ground-based systems by Task Force Scorpion Strike (TFSS), a unit established in December 2025.
The task force was created to counter Iranian drone capabilities. At the time of its formation, Admiral Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, described it as setting “the conditions for using innovation as a deterrent.”
