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US Drones Copy Iran's Kamikaze Tech
20 Apr
Summary
- US drone LUCAS, a copy of Iran's Shahed, has appeared on the battlefield.
- The LUCAS drone costs $35,000 and offers satellite-guided targeting.
- It can attack moving targets and coordinate in swarms, unlike its predecessor.
The United States has deployed its Low-cost, Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drone, a design inspired by Iran's Shahed model, onto the battlefield. First spotted in Iraq, this new drone represents a significant shift, marking one of the first times the US has openly adapted an adversary's technology.
Costing approximately $35,000, the LUCAS drone is considerably cheaper than traditional missiles. Unlike the pre-programmed Shahed, LUCAS offers satellite guidance, allowing operators to change targets mid-flight, engage moving objectives like tanks, and coordinate attacks in swarms.
While smaller and with a shorter range than the Shahed, the LUCAS is lighter and more adaptable. Its 40lb warhead can be replaced with surveillance or electronic warfare equipment, offering greater tactical flexibility. US Central Command has highlighted the drone's effectiveness in achieving "massive effects" against various targets.
