The United States Navy conducted, for the first time, the launch of a one-way attack drone from a warship during operations at sea.
The test took place on December 16 in the Arabian Gulf from the littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara, using the LUCAS system, developed as a low-cost solution for unmanned missions.
According to the U.S. Naval Command, the operation demonstrated how quickly new autonomous capabilities are being integrated into active service forces. The launch was conducted by Task Force 59, a unit specializing in unmanned systems integration, and is part of the effort of Task Force Scorpion Strike, created specifically to employ this type of drone in the Middle East.
The U.S. Navy assesses that the introduction of LUCAS will have a direct impact on regional maritime security, enhancing deterrence capabilities in strategic areas. The system can be launched by various means, including ships, catapults, and mobile platforms, increasing operational flexibility in a region that concentrates vital global trade routes.
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @sentdefender | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
On Tuesday, December 16, the U.S. Navy carried out the first-ever-launch of a new one-way attack drone, a copy of an Iranian Shahed-136, from the flight deck of the Independence-class littoral combat ship, USS Santa Barbara (LCS-32), while transiting the Arabian Sea. The drone,… pic.twitter.com/8QENavJbHs
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) December 19, 2025
