Pentagon Plans to Mass Produce Attack Drone Used in Iran War

March 17, 2026, 9:17 PM UTC

The Pentagon is planning to mass produce one-way LUCAS attack drones, which have been deployed by US forces in the current war in the Middle East after they were created by reverse-engineering Iran’s cheap and deadly Shahed system.

The LUCAS drone — or Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System — is a US version of Iran’s kamikaze drone, and is manufactured by the US company SpektreWorks. The Defense Department sent a unit operating the drones to the Middle East ahead of the start of Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

Pentagon leadership has described the system as indispensable in the conflict. ...

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