US Air Force Contracts Aevex for One-Way Attack Drones to Enhance Combat Capabilities
The US Air Force has awarded an $18.5 million contract to California-based Aevex to supply autonomous aircraft for one-way attack missions. These drones fall into the Group 3 category, weighing less than 600kg and capable of flying below 18,000ft with a maximum speed of 250kt. The contract aims to expand the Air Force's inventory of one-way attack drones, which are designed for affordability and mission flexibility. These drones, known as the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS), have been deployed in combat scenarios, including joint US-Israeli operations in Iran.