Pentagon Deploys First Kamikaze Drone Unit in Middle East

The Pentagon’s first dedicated kamikaze drone unit, known as Task Force Scorpion (also referred to as Task Force Scorpion Strike), has become operational in the Middle East, positioning U.S. forces with a new tool for potential escalation amid heightened tensions with Iran.

According to recent Bloomberg reporting, the unit stands ready to participate in strikes if President Trump issues orders targeting Iranian assets. This development builds on the unit’s establishment under U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) in late 2025, evolving from experimental efforts into a fully deployable squadron equipped for one-way attack missions. The deployment reflects a broader strategic shift toward affordable, expendable unmanned systems to counter asymmetric threats like those posed by Iranian drones and proxies.

At the core of Task Force Scorpion’s capabilities are the low-cost Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones, each priced at roughly $35,000—a fraction of traditional precision-guided munitions.

These platforms, reverse-engineered from Iran’s Shahed-136 design by U.S. firms like SpektreWorks, feature a delta-wing configuration with a 40-pound payload capacity, making them ideal for strikes against softer targets such as missile sites, radar installations, or command posts rather than heavily fortified bunkers.

Launched via catapults, rocket-assisted takeoff, or mobile systems, the LUCAS drones offer extended range, autonomous operation, and versatility for reconnaissance or maritime roles, providing commanders with a cost-effective way to saturate defenses without risking high-value aircraft or pilots.

Though Task Force Scorpion forms only a modest part of the larger U.S. military posture in the region, its activation represents a landmark in combat application and aligns closely with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s aggressive push to expand drone usage across the armed forces. Hegseth’s “Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance” initiative, launched in mid-2025, has prioritized rapid acquisition and fielding of mass-producible unmanned systems to achieve overwhelming advantages in modern warfare. Any involvement by the unit in future operations would mark its inaugural combat use, potentially validating this approach and accelerating further investment in swarm-capable, low-cost drones to deter adversaries effectively.

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