U.S. Deploys Reverse-Engineered “Shahed-Style” Drone Squadron to Middle East Under New Task Force

Key Facts

Published: December 3, 2025 Location: Washington D.C. Source: Wall Street Journal, CENTCOM

• A new U.S. kamikaze drone squadron in the Middle East is built by reverse-engineering Iran's Shahed-136
• CENTCOM activates "Task Force Scorpion Strike" to field cheap, expendable attack drones
• New FLM-136 drones cost about $35,000 each--dramatically cheaper than MQ-9 Reapers
• Deployment reflects Washington's shift toward low-cost drone dominance against Iran and its proxies

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) -A newly deployed U.S. drone squadron operating somewhere in the Middle East is based on a reverse-engineered copy of Iran’s Shahed-136 attack drone, according to a Wall Street Journal exclusive–an unusual move that underscores Washington’s accelerating push to field cheaper strike systems against Iranian-style threats.

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed Wednesday that the drones–designated FLM-136 and produced by Arizona-based SpektreWorks–are now active under a newly created unit called Task Force Scorpion Strike. While CENTCOM declined to reveal the operating location, it described the aircraft as part of its LUCAS initiative (Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System).

The task force was created four months after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ordered an accelerated Pentagon-wide push to field inexpensive unmanned attack systems as part of the military’s broader Drone Dominance strategy, aiming to equip every U.S. unit with low-cost strike drones by the end of fiscal year 2026.

CENTCOM said the new drones possess “extensive range” and can conduct autonomous missions with minimal human control using onboard sensors and artificial intelligence. They can be launched from catapults, rocket-assisted systems, ground platforms, or vehicles–giving U.S. forces flexibility to rapidly deploy them across contested regions.

Each unit costs roughly $35,000, a fraction of the $16 million MQ-9 Reaper aircraft that have been repeatedly shot down in the region, including by Yemen’s Houthis.

Iran’s Shahed-136 drones–upon which the U.S. model is based–have been used extensively by Tehran and its network of proxy militias, including strikes on Israel and the 2024 Jordan attack that killed three U.S. service members. Russia has also relied heavily on Shaheds in its war against Ukraine.

Reverse-engineering a foreign weapons system–especially one used by an adversary–represents a striking shift in U.S. defense procurement, more commonly associated with hostile nations attempting to mimic American technology.

“This new task force sets the conditions for using innovation as a deterrent,” said CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper. “Equipping our skilled warfighters faster with cutting-edge drone capabilities showcases U.S. military innovation and strength, which deters bad actors.”

CENTCOM said the squadron is staffed by personnel from Special Operations Command Central and aligns with a broader technology surge launched in September to speed new capabilities into the hands of deployed forces.

The Pentagon says the effort aims to counter rapidly expanding Iranian drone warfare by matching it with far cheaper and more numerous American systems–shifting the cost equation sharply in Washington’s favor as the region faces persistent drone attacks from Iran-backed militias.

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