The United States has taken a new step in the warfare based on unmanned systems with the deployment of its first kamikaze drone squadron in the Middle East. The objective of this new unit is to have low-cost, long-range, and autonomous aerial weapons capable of rapidly adapting to different conflict scenarios.
The announcement, released by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) via the social network X, marks a milestone in US military strategy in a region where unidirectional attack drones They have become a key tool for both deterrence and power projection. This movement also fits into a global trend that Europe, and Spain in particular, are watching closely due to its impact on security and the development of new military doctrines.
A new working group to lead the kamikaze drone program
CENTCOM has detailed that the centerpiece of this project is the Scorpion Strike Working Group The Task Force for Strategic Services (TFSS) was created specifically to accelerate the entry into service of cost-effective and efficient attack drones. This task force was formed following an order from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to prioritize the acquisition and deployment of these technologies.
According to the official statement, the TFSS is designed to to rapidly put low-cost, high-impact drone capabilities into the hands of troopsIn other words, it seeks to minimize the time between the development or adaptation of these systems and their actual use in operations, something that until now has been much slower in large armies.
The new working group has already formed an operational squad of the so-called Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System, known as LUCAS for its acronym in English. This squadron is deployed in the Middle East, a region where the United States maintains significant strategic interests and a permanent military presence.
The creation of TFSS did not occur in isolation. In September, CENTCOM had already promoted the Joint Rapid Deployment Force (REJTF), aimed at coordinating and expediting the introduction of emerging capabilities in deployed units. This structure acts as an umbrella for various innovation initiatives, including the development of the LUCAS squadron.
Within this architecture, the staff of Central Special Operations Command It plays a key role in the construction and fine-tuning of the kamikaze drone unit, aligning with the priority of strengthening tactical capabilities on the ground with more flexible and adaptable systems.
Features of LUCAS drones: long range and autonomy
LUCAS drones are Loitering munitions, also known as kamikaze dronesThese systems are designed to operate as a cheaper and more versatile alternative to long-range cruise missiles. Unlike a conventional missile, these systems can remain airborne for an extended period while searching for their target, before impacting it.
According to data released by CENTCOM itself and US military spokespeople, these drones have high autonomy and independent operating capabilityThey are said to have a flight time of up to six hours or a range of hundreds of kilometers —around 822 kilometers—, which allows them to operate in considerable depths of enemy space.
As for their flight performance, the LUCAS would reach speeds close to 140 km/h, with peaks that would be around 190 km/hand could fly at altitudes of up to about 4.500 meters. It has also been noted that they are designed to operate in strong winds of about 35 knots, which increases their usefulness in adverse weather conditions.
Another highlight is the flexibility in launchThese drones can be launched into the air using catapults, rocket-assisted launch systems, or mobile ground platforms and vehicles. This versatility allows them to operate from improvised positions, without relying as heavily on runways or fixed infrastructure.
All of this is combined with a relatively low cost. Sources within CENTCOM have indicated that each LUCAS platform would be around... $35.000 per unitThis figure is significantly lower than that of many long-range weapon systems. This price difference allows for more massive deployments or saturation strategies that would be prohibitively expensive with traditional missiles.
Innovation as a military deterrent
For the commander of Central Command, Admiral Brad CooperThis new operational structure aims to "lay the groundwork for using innovation as a deterrent." Equipping U.S. forces with cutting-edge drones in a shorter timeframe is presented as a way to demonstrate both technological capability and military resolve.
In words released by CENTCOM itself, equipping fighters with systems like LUCAS It reinforces the image of strength and responsiveness of the United States.According to Cooper, this helps to deter actors considered hostile or destabilizing in the region.
The role of the REJTF is equally relevant at this point. This joint force coordinates projects of capability, software and technological diplomacyThe goal is to ensure that innovations don't remain confined to the laboratory, but rather reach those deployed on the ground quickly. The aim is to shorten the gap between concept, prototype, and real-world use as much as possible.
From a military planning perspective, the deployment of a squadron of low-cost kamikaze drones fits into a broader trend towards distributed and more resilient defense architecturesInstead of concentrating firepower in a few very expensive and complex systems, the focus is on a larger number of relatively affordable platforms, capable of operating in a coordinated and, in many cases, autonomous manner.
This type of approach is especially relevant in scenarios where there are fears of saturation or attrition of traditional defenses. By having systems like LUCAS, the Pentagon seeks to increase response options to air, naval or land threatswhile keeping costs under some control.
International context and lessons for Europe
The US commitment to the first kamikaze drone squadron in the Middle East comes in an international context marked by... proliferation of low-cost, highly effective dronesExamples such as the intensive use of Iranian Shahed-136 drones in Ukraine and Israel have highlighted the extent to which these weapons can alter the balance in a conflict.
In Europe, and also in Spain, the armed forces and defense institutions closely monitor these types of developments. The widespread use of loitering munitions has demonstrated that relatively inexpensive systems can cause significant damage both critical infrastructure and well-equipped military units, and force a rethinking of classic air defense.
European countries are already working on their own programs for attack drones and loitering munitions, as well as on defensive shields adapted to swarms of dronesThe US experience with the LUCAS squadron in a region as sensitive as the Middle East will most likely serve as a reference laboratory, providing data on real performance, operating costs and integration with other systems.
For Spain, with its presence in international missions and a growing interest in strengthen its technological defense capabilitiesThe evolution of these types of units can be especially relevant, both because of the tactical implications—how they are used and against what types of targets—and because of the industrial and budgetary decisions involved in choosing these systems over more traditional ones.
At the same time, the expansion of kamikaze drones opens up debates about employment standards, human control and climbing risksBrussels, NATO and various international forums are already discussing how to fit this type of weaponry into existing legal and ethical frameworks, something that also affects the planning of member states.
A phase change in drone warfare
The creation of the first LUCAS kamikaze drone squadron in the Middle East symbolizes a phase shift in the understanding of air power. The United States is thus combining relatively affordable technology, increasing autonomy, and rapid deployment to reinforce its military position in one of the most sensitive areas of the planet.
Although the immediate focus is on US interests in the region, the impact of this decision transcends the borders of the Middle East. For Europe and Spain, what happens with this unit will provide clues about the real viability of kamikaze drones as a deterrent tool, their cost-benefit analysis compared to other capabilities and the challenges they pose for air defense and collective security.
In a scenario rife with conflicts where cheap, autonomous attack drones play a central role, the deployment of this squadron confirms that The major powers are adapting their military doctrine to a reality in which the sky is no longer dominated solely by fighter jets, helicopters or missiles, but also by small unmanned aircraft capable of deciding the outcome of an operation.
