The US has just turned Iran’s own drone playbook against it.
In a historic first for American forces, Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones were reportedly used in combat strikes on Iranian targets during Operation Epic Fury.
The LUCAS is essentially America’s version of the infamous Shahed drones, equipped with built-in autonomy and an extended range profile.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM) spokesperson Tim Hawkins, each drone costs roughly $35,000, making it a cost-conscious alternative to conventional missiles.
“The president ordered bold action, and our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are answering the call,” Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, added.
Uncovering LUCAS
At roughly 10 feet (3 meters) long, LUCAS drones feature a delta-wing design reminiscent of Shahed systems, optimized for long loitering missions.
They are also built for versatile launches, capable of being catapulted, rocket-assisted, or deployed straight from a vehicle.
Multiple units can “talk” to each other via a mesh network, allowing coordinated swarm attacks that multiply their battlefield impact.
The move to reverse-engineer Shahed has met criticism, particularly from Iranian officials who called it a sign that the US is acknowledging Tehran’s drone expertise while attempting to turn it against its originators.
“There is no greater honor than seeing self-proclaimed superpowers kneel before an Iranian drone and copy it,” a senior spokesman for Iran’s armed forces stated.
Operation Epic Fury
LUCAS drones formed part of coordinated strikes that hit Iranian command centers, military airfields, and missile launch sites.
CENTCOM called it the “largest regional concentration of American military firepower in a generation.”
While the drones were initially test-fired from the USS Santa Barbara, Task Force Scorpion Strike reportedly fired them from ground‑based positions during its Iran strike.
