A Pensacola charter crew pulled a nearly 10-foot military drone from waters off the Florida Panhandle after spotting it floating near Eglin Air Force Base. The aircraft resembled the FLM-136 (LUCAS), a 2025 U.S. design similar to Iran's Shahed 136. The Coast Guard was unavailable at the time, so the crew returned the drone to shore; local law enforcement and Eglin later reclaimed the aircraft, saying a LUCAS UAS impacted the water during routine testing on Sept. 17.
Fishermen Reel In Nearly 10-Foot Military Drone Near Eglin AFB During Test
Image by VIRIN: 251123-D-D0477-1031.JPG, Public domain. Via Wikimedia Commons.
A Pensacola charter crew had an unusual catch off the Florida Panhandle: a nearly 10-foot military drone that washed up while they were fishing near Eglin Air Force Base, home to the U.S. Air Force's 96th Test Wing.
Pensacola operator Hot Spots posted an image of the recovered aircraft to Facebook with the caption, "Great 6 hour today with this crew! If anyone is looking for their drone please call Hot Spots!" The photo showed the drone missing its rear propeller and part of its nose.
Observers noted the vehicle resembled an FLM-136, also known as the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS). The Air Force announced work on the LUCAS in 2025; the design is a domestic counterpart to the Iranian Shahed 136, a model that has received attention due to its use in recent conflicts.
Captain Daniel Arsenault told CNN the discovery was accidental: "We were riding along offshore and saw it floating." The crew initially feared they might be coming upon a capsized vessel and possible survivors, but soon realized the object was an unmanned aircraft.
The charter attempted to notify the U.S. Coast Guard, but were told its resources were committed to an active search and could not respond. With no immediate assistance available, the crew hauled the drone aboard and returned to shore. Arsenault also said he caught a mahi-mahi while pulling the object into the boat.
A spokesperson for Eglin AFB told Task & Purpose: "On Thursday, Sept. 17, a LUCAS UAS impacted the water during routine scheduled testing on the Eglin AFB Range." After the charter crew reported the find, local law enforcement took custody of the aircraft and later returned it to military personnel. Hot Spots later updated its social post, writing, "The black SUVs came and got their drone, all is good!"
What This Means
While the incident appears to be the result of a training mishap, it underscores the potential for military test debris to wash into public waterways and the importance of following safety guidance when encountering unknown objects. Authorities recovered the aircraft and confirmed it is back in Department control.
Captain Daniel Arsenault: "That's the great thing about fishing. You never know what you're gonna catch."
Safety reminder: If you find suspected military equipment or unexploded ordnance, do not touch it. Report the discovery to local authorities and the Coast Guard so trained personnel can respond.
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