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US’s LUCAS Weapon Against Iran: A Low-Cost Kamikaze Drone Used in War

Published March 3, 2026, 14:10
US’s LUCAS Weapon Against Iran: A Low-Cost Kamikaze Drone Used in War

A new kamikaze drone, rapidly developed by the US, is being used against Iran just eight months after its presentation at the Pentagon. The drone, from Arizona-based SpektreWorks, costs around €30,000, making it cheaper than advanced models. The LUCAS drone is based on the Iranian Shahed, widely used by Russia in Ukraine. The rapid development of LUCAS reflects lessons learned from monitoring the wartime use of drones in Ukraine. The development of LUCAS is faster and cheaper than typical Pentagon weapons programs, which usually take years to move from development to production and use. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has demonstrated the importance of drones in modern warfare. The LUCAS can be launched from various platforms, marking a significant leap in naval strike capability. Its use shows the US adapting to modern warfare needs and emphasizing the development of affordable and quickly available weapon systems.