US Central Command (CENTCOM) has launched efforts to establish Task Force Falcon Strike, the first multinational, multi-domain attack drone task force, bringing together US forces and regional partners to operate one-way attack drones across the air, surface and subsurface domains.
The initiative, announced August 13, builds on the US military’s growing use of one-way attack drones in the Middle East and follows the establishment of Task Force Scorpion Strike nine months ago.
Falcon Strike will employ unmanned systems operating above, on and below the sea, with military support personnel from the United States and participating regional partners. CENTCOM said the task force is intended to integrate emerging capabilities and expand attack-drone operations across the region.
“Task Force Falcon Strike will expand on Scorpion Strike’s success given the tremendous innovation happening among our regional allies and partners,” said Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander.
“Integrating and deploying our new capabilities together will help us rapidly realize the new possibilities that are on the horizon.”
Scorpion Strike, launched by US Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT), became the US military’s first dedicated one-way attack drone squadron in the Middle East. It reached several operational milestones, including the first launch of an aerial attack drone from a US Navy warship in December.
The unit subsequently employed one-way unmanned aerial systems during Operation Epic Fury and used unmanned attack vessels at sea during strikes against Iranian port facilities in July.
CENTCOM has begun consultations with regional partners and plans to invite them to participate in Falcon Strike formally. As partners join, the task force is expected to scale its attack-drone capabilities across the Middle East and establish a unified multinational force.
Personnel from SOCCENT will lead Falcon Strike’s staff, which will include US and regional representatives. Based at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, SOCCENT is responsible for planning and conducting special operations across CENTCOM’s 21-country area of responsibility spanning the Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia.