A Florida fishing charter operating about 20 miles southeast of Pensacola Pass discovered and hauled aboard a massive, 10-foot-long U.S. military attack drone floating in the Gulf of Mexico. Eglin Air Force Base officials confirmed the aircraft was a LUCAS uncrewed combat attack system lost during routine testing on September 17.
An Unusual Haul 20 Miles Off Pensacola
What started as a routine six-hour fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico quickly turned into a military recovery mission for the crew aboard Hot Spot Fishing Charters. Daniel Arsenault, a 36-year-old charter captain, was fishing in Gulf waters off Florida alongside four active-duty military helicopter pilots when the group spotted debris bobbing in the open water.
Initially mistaking the floating wreckage for an overturned skiff or capsized boat, the crew rushed over to check for anyone who might need help. Instead, they found a large gray aircraft.
Because the customers on board were military helicopter pilots, they quickly identified the floating object as a target drone, giving the captain confidence to retrieve it. Before hoisting the aircraft aboard, the charter group cast lines near the waterlogged drone, pulling up mahi-mahi and tripletail that had gathered around the structure seeking cover.
What is the LUCAS Combat Drone?
Air Force officials identified the recovered aircraft as a LUCAS drone, which stands for Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System. The roughly 10-foot-long, scaleless machine is a one-way attack aircraft modeled after Iran’s Shahed-136 design.
A spokesperson for Eglin Air Force Base explained that the unmanned aerial vehicle went down during a scheduled test.
On Thursday, Sept.
Eglin Air Force Base spokesperson, via Yahoo
The aircraft was found floating roughly five miles from an area known to be used for military testing. While finding debris from testing in those waters is not uncommon, Arsenault noted that recovering a target drone in such an intact state was uncommon.
From Training Surrogate to Combat Weapon
U.S. Central Command established Task Force Scorpion Strike under U.S. Special Operations Command Central to deploy one-way attack drones. The military branch used the low-cost systems in combat during Operation Epic Fury.
Returning the Hardware to Defense Officials
After hauling the waterlogged aircraft aboard—a task requiring six men to hold it alongside the boat until trapped water drained—the crew inspected accessible panels for identifying marks. Finding no service markings, they brought the aircraft back to the dock.
The charter crew documented the moment with photos, posing the large gray drone next to a table displaying their catch of the day. They also posted a lighthearted message on social media.
“Great 6 hour today with this crew! If anyone is looking for their drone please call Hot Spots!”
Hot Spots Charters, via CBS News
Local law enforcement initially took custody of the aircraft when the charter returned to shore. Later that same day, government representatives contacted Arsenault to reclaim the property.
Base officials confirmed that the aircraft has been recovered and is back inside the Defense Department’s possession, concluding an unusually eventful day on the Gulf.