Representative Jimmy Patronis Emphasizes National Security in Gulf of Mexico Following Drone Recovery
A Pensacola charter fishing group recently recovered a Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drone from the Gulf of Mexico, approximately 20 miles southeast of the Pensacola pass. The drone, which had impacted the water during routine scheduled testing on the Eglin Air Force Base Range, was subsequently retrieved by the Air Force. Representative Jimmy Patronis (R-Fla.) issued a statement highlighting the critical role of the Gulf of America and the Florida Panhandle in national security. He stressed the importance of continued investment in the military and the protection of the Gulf testing range to support readiness. The LUCAS drones, about 10 feet long and eight feet wide, can travel up to 85 miles per hour and 15,000 feet high, and are modeled after the Iranian Shahed 136, often used in targeted strikes. These one-way attack drones, also known as kamikaze or suicide drones, debuted in February and were utilized in Operation Epic Fury to defend against Iranian missile and drone attacks.
