Overview
- CENTCOM announced on Aug. 13 the creation of Task Force Falcon Strike to unite U.S. and partner forces around one‑way attack drones operating in the air, on the sea surface, and underwater.
- U.S. Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) will lead the task force staff that CENTCOM says will include U.S. and regional representatives and that consultations and formal invitations to partners have already begun.
- CENTCOM described Falcon Strike as an expansion of Task Force Scorpion Strike, which in recent months achieved firsts such as ship‑launched aerial loitering munitions and the combat use of unmanned surface vessels in strikes on Iranian port facilities.
- The command says Falcon Strike will incorporate one‑way systems including aerial loitering munitions, unmanned surface vessels and uncrewed underwater vehicles although membership, exact partner contributions, and operational doctrine have not been disclosed.
- Officials and coverage note the move responds to operational strain on expensive manned and high‑end drones and could speed regional burden‑sharing, wider fielding of lower‑cost attritable systems, and changes in how maritime and littoral threats are countered.