On Saturday morning, a fishing charter operating out of Pensacola, Florida, made an unusual catch that was not a fish. While cruising offshore, captain Daniel Arsenault and his crew spotted a large, unmanned aircraft floating in the water and hauled it aboard.
Drone details and military context
The object was identified as a U.S. test drone, a clone of the Iranian‑designed Shahed‑136, known in the service as the Low‑cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS). LUCAS drones are manufactured by Arizona‑based Spektreworks, measuring about 9.8 feet in length with an 8.2‑foot wingspan and a weight of roughly 70 pounds.
According to a spokesperson for Eglin Air Force Base, the aircraft was part of a test program and “went down” during a flight. The base, home to the Air Force’s 96th Test Wing, confirmed that a drone was missing from its inventory but did not disclose the specific model.
Charter crew’s reaction
Arsenault posted photos of the drone on the charter’s Facebook page, noting the unexpected find and joking, “Great 6 hour today with this crew! If anyone is looking for their drone please call Hot Spots!” The images show the drone’s nose and rear propeller missing, likely the result of its impact with the water.
Other Facebook commenters added humor, describing the drone’s “taste like avgas” and asking whether it was a “catch‑and‑release” situation. The charter later updated the post, stating, “The black suvs came and got their drone, all is good!” indicating that military personnel retrieved the aircraft shortly after the crew’s discovery.
Why the drone matters
The LUCAS program was announced late last year as a low‑cost alternative to foreign‑made combat drones. U.S. Central Command reported in March that LUCAS drones were being employed in operations against Iran, delivering “American‑made retribution.” The recovery of a test article near Eglin underscores the active development and testing of these systems on U.S. soil.
While the incident did not pose a safety threat to the charter’s passengers, it serves as a reminder of the close proximity between civilian maritime activity and military testing ranges along the Florida panhandle.
Community response
Local residents expressed curiosity and pride that a Pensacola‑based business played a role in locating a piece of national defense equipment. The episode also sparked conversation about the importance of maintaining clear communication between military installations and the surrounding community to ensure safety and transparency.
Authorities have not released further details about the test flight or the circumstances that led to the drone’s loss. The Air Force continues its routine testing program at Eglin, a key site for evaluating new aerospace technologies.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
