U.S. Central Command on Wednesday announced the formation of a task force to set up the military’s first one-way attack drone squadron in the Middle East.
The formation of Task Force Scorpion Strike, officials said, is part of CENTCOM’s effort to follow through on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s directive that the armed forces quickly acquire and field cutting-edge drones in large numbers.
Scorpion Strike is designed to get low-cost drones into the hands of the nation’s warfighters, CENTCOM said.
Similar efforts are underway across the military’s theaters around the world, especially in the Pacific, where commanders envision a “hellscape” of autonomous drones designed to deter China from invading Taiwan.
The CENTCOM task force has already produced a squadron of Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System drones based in the Middle East. CENTCOM did not specify exactly how many drones are part of that squadron.
“This new task force sets the conditions for using innovation as a deterrent,” CENTCOM’s commander, Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, said in a statement. “Equipping our skilled warfighters faster with cutting-edge drone capabilities showcases U.S. military innovation and strength, which deters bad actors.”
