A Different Kind of Catch.. A Drone Similar to "Shahed-136" Retrieved Off Florida

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A fishing boat off the coast of Florida has recovered a triangular-winged drone, which closely resembles the Iranian "Shahed-136" drone replicas, in a notable incident that occurred near the Eglin Air Force Base, which hosts one of the most important weapons testing centers in the United States.

Hot Spots Charters stated that the drone was recovered last Saturday during a fishing trip near the base, after it was spotted by Captain Daniel Arcino who approached it.

Photos showed that its structure lacked the engine, propeller, and nose of the aircraft, including the sensing and guidance components, suggesting it may have been involved in a collision or crash before reaching the water.

The drone belongs to the "FLM-136" family, which is a drone designed primarily to simulate one-way offensive munitions, with the "Shahed-136" at the forefront, for testing and training purposes.

This category later evolved into the combat system "LUCAS," which was used by U.S. forces against Iran on the first day of Operation "Epic Fury" on February 28.

A spokesperson for Eglin Air Force Base acknowledged the recent loss of a drone, but declined to confirm whether the recovered aircraft was the same as the missing one, leaving the identity of the wreckage unresolved.

The incident gains additional significance due to the nature of the facilities at Eglin. The 96th Test Wing oversees an airspace over the Gulf of Mexico that covers approximately 120,000 square miles, while the land test range extends over 724 miles and includes 70 designated areas for testing and training.

The LUCAS drone has emerged as one of the low-cost unmanned attack systems that the United States is betting on, with a unit cost of about $35,000, according to statements from U.S. Central Command.

The system features a wide range and the ability to operate beyond visual line of sight, with the capability to be launched by various means, including catapults, rocket-assisted takeoff, and ground and vehicle-mounted platforms.

The U.S. forces are simultaneously working on developing means to counter this type of threat, including arming fighter jets with laser-guided "APKWS" missiles, as part of programs that began in 2019, alongside the development of more efficient air-to-air missiles that operate on a "fire-and-forget" technology.

It is noteworthy that the Florida incident does not seem to be an isolated case. In 2021, an American drone of the "BQM-167A" model designated for training was found after being washed ashore in Palm Beach County.

The Air Force also has specialized boats for retrieving drones from the water, and contracted teams recover about 100 drones annually.

While it has not yet been determined whether the recovered debris belongs to the "FLM-136" or "LUCAS," the incident revealed an unusual aspect of the race to develop and test drones.

These tests come at a time when one-way drones have become a permanent fixture on battlefields, having demonstrated their ability to pose new challenges to air defenses during the war in Ukraine and elsewhere.

Therefore, American development programs are moving towards testing targets that simulate adversaries, while simultaneously developing low-cost offensive platforms that can be used in large numbers, allowing for the absorption of expected losses during operations or tests. The maritime areas around "Eglin" provide a suitable environment for this type of experimentation, while reducing the risks of experimental aircraft approaching civilian airspace.