TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on August 13 the creation of Task Force Falcon Strike, described as the first multinational, multi-domain attack drone task force. The new unit will bring together U.S. military personnel and regional partners to operate unmanned systems across the Middle East.
Falcon Strike will focus on low-cost, one-way attack drones and other unmanned systems operating in three domains: air, sea surface and underwater. CENTCOM said the task force is intended to create a unified multinational capability for regional deterrence and operations.
Building on Scorpion Strike
Falcon Strike builds on Task Force Scorpion Strike, established by CENTCOM in December 2025 as the U.S. military's first dedicated one-way attack drone squadron in the Middle East.
Scorpion Strike used low-cost systems including the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS). Its unmanned systems were deployed during Operation Epic Fury, while unmanned attack vessels were used in strikes on Iranian port facilities in July 2026.
In December 2025, Scorpion Strike also conducted the first launch of an aerial one-way attack drone from a U.S. Navy warship, using the littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara.
Regional Partners to Join
CENTCOM has begun consultations with regional countries and is formally inviting partners to participate in Falcon Strike. No specific partner countries have been publicly named so far.
The task force is intended to combine U.S. and regional capabilities and support deterrence in the Middle East, including around strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz.
CENTCOM Commander Adm. Brad Cooper said Falcon Strike will build on Scorpion Strike's experience and the innovation taking place among U.S. regional allies and partners.
“Task Force Falcon Strike will expand on Scorpion Strike’s success given the tremendous innovation happening among our regional allies and partners.”
Cooper also said that integrating and deploying new capabilities together would help the partners develop new possibilities more quickly.
SOCCENT to Lead the Task Force
Personnel from U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) will lead Falcon Strike's integrated staff of U.S. and regional representatives. SOCCENT also launched Scorpion Strike and is headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
SOCCENT plans and conducts special operations across CENTCOM's 21-country area of responsibility, covering the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia.
Falcon Strike will expand the approach developed by Scorpion Strike by bringing air, surface and underwater unmanned systems into a single multinational structure. As regional countries join, CENTCOM expects the task force to expand its multi-domain drone capabilities across the region.
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