The U.S. Department of War plans to mass-produce LUCAS kamikaze drones that were recently used in strikes on Iran.
This was reported by The Wall Street Journal, citing Pentagon officials.
The department said the drone has performed well in use and is currently undergoing refinement ahead of mass production.
The first LUCAS (Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System) drones, modeled on the Iranian Shahed, were deployed by the United States in the Middle East in December last year.
It is known that manufacturer SpektreWorks has produced dozens of the systems, but the U.S. military has not disclosed how many have been used in combat.
On February 28, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported the first official combat use of the drones during a military operation against Iran, though the targets were not disclosed.
For their use, the U.S. formed a unit known as Scorpion Strike.
LUCAS UAV
The LUCAS drones, which have a long range, are equipped with Starlink antennas. Satellite communications enable real-time video transmission from the drone and allow operators to control flight.
This improves strike effectiveness through in-flight retargeting and operation in electronic warfare conditions. It also allows operators to prioritize targets.
The drones can be launched from a catapult using a solid-fuel booster, as well as from mobile ground or vehicle-based platforms.
The LUCAS kamikaze drone is about 3 meters long with a wingspan of 2.4 meters. The estimated cost of one drone is around $35,000, significantly lower than traditional long-range weapons used by the U.S. military.
It was previously reported that the U.S. Air Force struck an Iranian facility producing kamikaze drones in Tehran.
