Fishermen in Florida recently made an unexpected discovery during a routine fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico. Daniel Arsenault, a 36-year-old fishing captain, and his crew, which included military helicopter pilots, spotted what appeared to be a military drone in the water. Arsenault identified the object as a drone, and the pilots confirmed it was indeed a military device. The drone had reportedly fallen into the water during a routine test a few days earlier. After retrieving the drone, the fishermen took photos with it and their catch, which included red snappers, mackerels, and groupers. The sheriff's office later took possession of the drone, which was eventually returned to the government. A photo from the Facebook group Hot Spots Charters showed the fishermen posing with the drone, along with the caption: "Super 6-hour session today with this team! If someone is looking for their drone, please call Hot Spots!" The image quickly drew attention, highlighting the unusual nature of the find. According to a spokesperson for Eglin Air Force Base, the drone was a LUCAS model that had struck the water during a test on September 17, just a few days before the fishing trip. The LUCAS drone is part of a new operational group recently deployed by the U.S. Central Command for the Middle East (Centcom). This group was announced at the end of 2025 and was equipped with drones designed for use in combat operations. These drones are modeled after the Iranian Shahed series, which have been used in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and against American forces in the Middle East. The U.S. has now deployed its own version of these drones as a response to Iranian and Russian use of similar technology. The LUCAS drones were used for the first time in combat during the U.S.-led military action in Iran, which began on February 28. Centcom stated at the time that these cost-effective drones were designed to provide a strategic counter to the Iranian Shahed drones. The deployment of these new U.S. drones marks a significant shift in military strategy, emphasizing the growing importance of unmanned aerial systems in modern warfare.