Fishing Charter Pulls Military Drone From Gulf; Hands It Over to Authorities

# What happened

A Pensacola fishing charter, Hot Spots Charters, pulled an unexpected item aboard during a routine trip: a large military-style delta-wing drone floating in the Gulf. The crew photographed the drone on the boat's bow alongside their usual catches and posted the images to social media. They then brought the drone to shore and reported it to local authorities.

# Who identified the drone and what did officials say

A social media user known as Aquatic Charlie identified the airframe as an MQM-172. Eglin Air Force Base later told local news that a LUCAS UAS impacted the water during routine scheduled testing on the Eglin AFB Range. That confirmation links the recovered drone to a known U.S. test operation rather than to foreign forces.

The recovered airframe resembled the low-cost, delta-wing designs that trace back to the Iranian Shahed-136 style. The Jalopnik report notes that the LUCAS design was originally built as the FLM-136, a Shahed-136 replica used for target practice.

# Condition of the drone

Photos and reporting show visible damage: the drone was missing its nosecone, engine, and propeller, though otherwise largely intact. That degree of damage is consistent with an impact and subsequent floating rather than a mid-air catastrophic breakup.

# How the crew handled it

Captain Daniel Arsenault of Hot Spots Charters said the crew reported the find and local law enforcement took custody on Pensacola Beach. He said the U.S. Navy or government contacted the charter to locate their drone and that authorities were thankful it was retrieved and turned in. Arsenault added the charter had people with military experience on board and that someone without that background probably shouldn't haul unknown military equipment onto a small boat.

# Why authorities got involved quickly

# Practical safety takeaways

• If you find unfamiliar military hardware in the water, do not attempt to dismantle or transport it beyond making it safe and visible for authorities.
• Report the location to the Coast Guard or local law enforcement and keep a safe distance.
• If you choose to bring something aboard because it threatens immediate safety, document the find and notify authorities immediately.

# Cultural note

The charter crew treated the recovery with local humor and posted photos of the drone among their fish hauls. The story drew attention because the drone was an unusual and visually striking "catch." That reaction was paired with quick, correct steps to involve authorities so the military could retrieve the aircraft.

# Bottom line