The Pentagon has begun deploying LUCAS attack drones to the Middle East.
LUCAS demonstration to Pentagon leadership, July 2025.
The US is looking to improve its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Aviation and improve its operational capabilities. A new attack UAV, LUCAS, was previously developed for this purpose. It has now passed all necessary tests and entered service. Operation of this equipment has been assigned to a specially created unit called Scorpion Strike. This unit recently began service at a base in the Middle East.
Project LUCAS
The Pentagon is placing significant emphasis on the development and development of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Individual projects are being developed, while full-scale, comprehensive programs are being implemented. For example, in July of this year, the department released a document, "Unleashing US Military Drone Dominance," which outlines the goals and objectives for maintaining its leading position in unmanned aircraft manufacturing.
Also in July, the Pentagon and Arizona-based SpektreWorks unveiled a new development in the field of attack UAVs. The Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) was developed to attack various targets.
It was reported that the LUCAS project had begun earlier and was based on foreign experience. The Pentagon had been monitoring the use of Iranian dronesThe Shahed-136 kamikaze and the Russian Geran-2, and drew the appropriate conclusions. Ultimately, the agency decided it needed its own UAV of this class.
SpektreWorks and military specialists studied available wreckage and fragments of foreign drones. The collected information formed the basis of their own project, LUCAS. This explains the external and structural similarities between aircraft from different countries.
Production UAVs for the TFSS unit. The nose-mounted optoelectronic systems are visible.
It was not specified when development of the new American UAV would begin. Due to the project's relative simplicity, the work could have taken a limited time. However, by the time of the official announcement, the design work had been completed, prototypes had been built, and flight tests had begun. Photos of LUCAS products in the air were included with the press release.
At that time, it was expected that the new UAV would soon complete testing and receive the necessary approvals. Plans were underway to launch serial production and put the equipment into service. However, full details of these plans were not disclosed.
First Division
On December 3, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported on recent developments and successes. It was reported that LUCAS UAVs had entered service and were already being deployed.
A unit called Task Force Scorpion Strike was created within CENTCOM specifically to operate the new technology. Essentially, it's a squadron equipped with the new type of drones. It has already been deployed to a base in the Middle East for combat duty. Further details have not yet been officially released.
However, on the same day, December 3, the American publication The War Zone published additional information. It received this information from a Pentagon official familiar with the situation who wished to remain anonymous.
The source reports that the TFSS has approximately two dozen soldiers and officers. They are appropriately trained and responsible for the operation and deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles. The number of UAVs in the unit is not specified. According to the source, the inventory of ready-to-use devices and the volume of deliveries are consistent with the assigned tasks.
The location for the TFSS's first deployment was not chosen by chance. This unit, along with other structures, is involved in pressuring Iran. The new unmanned aerial vehicle is intended to serve as an additional deterrent or a means for delivering sensitive strikes.
However, the Pentagon or unnamed sources are not yet revealing all plans for the operation and deployment of advanced attack UAVs. For obvious reasons, all operational plans and proposals are being kept secret. They will only be revealed in the event of an actual engagement.
American copy
The LUCAS UAV is reportedly a copy or functional analogue of the Iranian Shahed-136 or the Russian Geran-2. Information obtained from studying downed Shahed-131s, which have different dimensions, may also have been used.
LUCAS is a tailless, fixed-wing, fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). It features a cylindrical fuselage of constant diameter and a delta wing. The wingtips are vertical planes. Like its foreign counterparts, the aircraft carries the warhead and control equipment inside the fuselage, while the engine is housed in the tail.
Based on published materials, LUCAS is virtually identical in size to the Shahed-136. The American UAV may exceed 3 meters in length with a comparable wingspan. Its takeoff weight has not yet been announced. The payload may reach 18 kg.
The LUCAS is equipped with a Desert Aircraft DA-215 twin-cylinder engine. The 215cc engine produces up to 13 hp. Electronic fuel injection is used. This powerplant is expected to deliver excellent performance and fuel economy.
The drone's flight characteristics have not been officially disclosed. Judging by its design, it is capable of speeds of up to 180-200 km/h. A flight endurance of up to 5-6 hours is mentioned, indicating a fairly long range.
The LUCAS project envisages the use of several control system options. In all cases, the UAV is equipped with satellite and inertial navigation systems to fly according to a predetermined program. The simplest version of the aircraft is designed to attack a target with designated coordinates.
Drones with optical systems in the nose cone are also being demonstrated. They are likely equipped with a television or infrared seeker. This modification will be able to search for and attack moving targets in a predetermined area.
The UAV may be capable of communicating with the control station. Recent photos of aircraft with optical seekers show a distinctive flat feature on the tail of the fuselage. This could be a satellite internet antenna. In this case, the operator would be able to monitor the UAV's flight and directly control it.
LUCAS is primarily considered as a warhead carrier. It can accommodate various types of warheads weighing up to several dozen kilograms. The use of heavier warheads, at the expense of fuel capacity, cannot be ruled out. However, other payloads, such as additional reconnaissance equipment, are also possible.
The UAV is launched from a rail using a catapult or a solid-fuel booster. The launcher can be mounted on various ground platforms. Shipboard installations are also possible.
In most cases, LUCAS is designed for one-way flights only. However, some missions require a return. The landing method is unknown. It's possible the drone will be equipped with a parachute system.
The Pentagon specifically highlights the new UAV's cost-effectiveness. A production UAV costs just $35. Furthermore, it requires no special operating conditions, uses readily available consumables, and so on.
New weapon
Iran has been using its Shaheds in a number of models for the past few years. The Russian army has been using similar Geran drones since the fall of 2022. Now, a similar unmanned aerial vehicle weapon The United States also acquired one. It's worth noting that the Pentagon previously possessed a wide range of attack UAVs, but this time it was specifically a copy of a foreign model.
With the help of LUCAS and the TFSS unit, the US military plans to acquire new strike capabilities to address various combat and political challenges. For example, the new UAVs, in theory, allow for strikes against enemy targets at great depth. Moreover, their relatively low cost and reasonably limited performance should yield positive results.
Judging by the location of the initial deployment, LUCAS UAVs are planned for use against Iran. Currently, they serve as a deterrent and only pose a potential threat. However, it cannot be ruled out that Washington will again decide to attack Iranian targets. In such a case, the drones could be used either independently or in conjunction with other weapons and assets.
How effective such a deterrent or strike measure will be is unknown. The actual results of using LUCAS UAVs will depend not only on their own characteristics, but also on the actions Defense The enemy. Whether the US will decide to test the new technology in practice is a big question.
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