Overview
- US Central Command said Task Force Scorpion has transitioned from an experiment to an operational unit as part of the regional buildup.
- Officials and analysts reported the squadron can participate if President Trump orders strikes on Iran.
- CENTCOM described the Arizona-made LUCAS drones as costing about $35,000 each with roughly an 18kg payload, capable of one-way attacks, reconnaissance and maritime strikes, and designed for autonomous operation.
- One drone was test-launched from the USS Santa Barbara in the Arabian Gulf in mid-December 2025, according to reporting.
- Coverage diverged on diplomacy in Geneva, with the Daily Mail citing a collapse of talks while Iran’s Abbas Araghchi said progress was made and another round could happen very soon.