U.S. Navy in Middle East Employs Attack Drone at Sea for First Time
ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 16, 2025) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) successfully launches a Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) from the flight deck while transiting the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 16. Task Force 59 operated the LUCAS drone, which is part of Task Force Scorpion Strike, a one-way attack drone squadron recently deployed to the Middle East to strengthen regional security and deterrence. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jarel Mc Cants)