To Deter Threats in the Bab el-Mandeb and the Gulf… US Navy Ushers in Era of Low-Cost ‘Suicide Drones’
Yemen Monitor / Marib / Exclusive:
In a notable military development, the US Navy has initiated a new phase of confrontation in Middle Eastern waters by launching its first “kamikaze” suicide drone, of the “LUCAS” type, from a warship in the Arabian Gulf. This step aims to enhance deterrence capabilities and precision strikes against growing maritime threats.
The US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) announced on Saturday the successful launch of an offensive drone of the “LUCAS” type (Low-Cost Unmanned Aerial System) by the warship USS Santa Barbara. This occurred during routine operations conducted by the Fifth Fleet in the region on December 16th.
This marks the first time a “one-way attack drone” has been launched from a warship at sea. The LUCAS system is distinguished by its ability to operate over a wide range and can be launched through multiple mechanisms, including catapults or rocket-assisted launches, providing military commanders with a powerful and cost-effective “strike force” compared to traditional missiles.
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), praised the experiment, affirming that US forces in the Middle East are working to develop innovative combat capabilities to bolster deterrence.
For his part, Vice Admiral Curt Renshaw considered the successful launch of LUCAS a milestone in providing affordable “unmanned” capabilities to fighters in this sensitive region, which includes the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
This announcement coincides with the Pentagon’s push to integrate artificial intelligence into naval operations. The destroyer USS Fitzgerald has been converted into the first warship operating on machine learning-based predictive software, as part of Washington’s effort to modernize its arsenal to confront evolving threats in international waterways.
This military test comes at a time when the region is witnessing unprecedented security tensions, particularly in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea. The American shift towards low-cost “suicide drones” represents a counter-strategy to confront the tactics of the Houthi group, which relies on cheap, Iranian-made drones to deplete expensive American air defenses.
This move also occurs within the context of an American administration adopting a policy of “robust deterrence.” These experiments coincided with wide-scale airstrikes on targets in Syria in response to attacks on its forces, indicating Washington’s readiness to expand the use of smart technology in bombing and deterrence missions.
