US military to create multinational attack drone task force

US Central Command (CENTCOM) has launched efforts to establish its first multi-domain, multinational attack drone task force, aimed at integrating unmanned systems operated by the United States and regional partners.

The new unit, named Task Force Falcon Strike, will use one-way attack drones operating in the air, at sea and underwater, Caliber.Az reports per CENTCOM.

Falcon Strike will build on the experience of Task Force Scorpion Strike, which CENTCOM established nine months ago as the US military's first dedicated one-way attack drone unit in the Middle East.

Scorpion Strike reached several operational milestones, including the first launch of an aerial attack drone from a US Navy warship in December. The unit also used one-way unmanned aerial systems during Operation Epic Fury and employed unmanned attack vessels during strikes on Iranian port facilities in July.

CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said Falcon Strike would build on Scorpion Strike's achievements and incorporate innovations developed by US regional allies and partners.

CENTCOM has begun consultations with regional countries and is preparing to formally invite them to participate. The command said that as partners join, Falcon Strike would expand unmanned attack capabilities across the Middle East and create a unified multinational and multi-domain deterrent.

Personnel from US Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), which launched Scorpion Strike, will lead Falcon Strike's staff alongside representatives from participating regional countries.

SOCCENT is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, and is responsible for planning and conducting special operations across CENTCOM's 21-country area of responsibility, covering the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia.

By Sabina Mammadli