Fishermen Reel in Military Drone Off Florida Coast

A fishing charter operating near Eglin Air Force Base off the coast of Florida made an unusual catch last week when they discovered a U.S. military LUCAS drone floating in the Gulf waters. The incident occurred on September 19, two days after the drone had gone down during routine testing at the base.

According to officials from Eglin Air Force Base, the LUCAS Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) crashed into the water on September 17 while undergoing scheduled tests within the base's range. The drone was subsequently recovered and returned to military possession.

The discovery was made by Hotspot Charters during a routine fishing trip when they noticed debris floating in the water, including a cooler and pool floats. As the crew cleaned up the refuse, they spotted what appeared to be an overturned boat but turned out to be the downed drone. Concerned about potential survivors, the charter captain radioed the Coast Guard from approximately 20 miles southeast of Pensacola Pass.

Daniel Arsenault, the captain of Hotspot Charters, informed Task & Purpose that the four passengers aboard his vessel were military search-and-rescue helicopter pilots who immediately suspected a possible emergency situation. However, upon closer inspection, they realized it was a military drone rather than a capsized boat or distressed personnel.

Eglin Air Force Base confirmed to Task & Purpose that they had acknowledged losing an unidentified test aircraft prior to the fishermen's discovery. The LUCAS drone is based on Iran’s Shahed-136 design and serves as a one-way attack aircraft for military operations. This incident highlights potential risks associated with unmanned aerial systems during testing phases, especially in coastal areas where civilian activities are common.

The recovery of the drone underscores ongoing concerns about military equipment mishaps and their impact on public safety. While no injuries or environmental damage were reported from this particular event, it serves as a reminder for stricter protocols to prevent such occurrences in the future.