U.S. Deploys LUCAS Drones in Middle East Amid Strategic Competition with Iran
The United States has deployed Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones in the Middle East, a move confirmed by the Pentagon. These drones were developed by reverse-engineering the Iranian Shahed-136 drone, highlighting a strategic effort to counter Iran's expanding unmanned arsenal. The deployment comes amid heightened regional tensions, including U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The LUCAS drones are designed to be low-cost and expendable, allowing for precise attacks at a fraction of the cost of traditional military platforms. This development underscores the growing importance of such drones in modern warfare, as they enable states and militias to conduct operations more efficiently. Iran has mocked the U.S. for copying its drone technology, with Iranian officials describing the move as a concession by a global superpower.