S Navy Launches Attack Drone from Ship in Middle East
The US Navy successfully launched a Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drone from the flight deck of the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) in the Arabian Gulf on December 16, 2025. This marks the first ship-based deployment of a one-way attack drone in the region.
Task Force 59, operating under Task Force Scorpion Strike, oversaw the historic launch. The squadron was recently deployed to enhance regional security and strengthen deterrence capabilities. According to Vice Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, the launch highlights the Navy’s commitment to rapidly delivering affordable, effective unmanned capabilities to warfighters.
The LUCAS drone is versatile, capable of catapult launches, rocket-assisted takeoffs, and deployment from mobile ground or vehicle systems. This flexibility allows the Navy to operate in complex maritime environments while maintaining rapid response options.
“This platform will undoubtedly enhance regional maritime security and deterrence,” Vice Adm. Renshaw said. The deployment aligns with broader U.S. military efforts to integrate unmanned technologies into operational strategies across the Middle East.
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