United States has deployed a new long range uncrewed aerial system known as the Low Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, or LUCAS. The system has drawn attention from defence analysts due to its close resemblance to Iran’s Shahed 136 loitering munition, a drone design that has influenced modern battlefield tactics globally. LUCAS represents an effort to produce a low cost, one way attack drone capable of extended range and precision targeting.
According to United States Central Command, LUCAS has been operationally deployed, and analysts observing the platform have noted its delta wing configuration, rear mounted pusher propeller and internal combustion engine, all features that mirror the Shahed 136 design. Open source specialists have suggested that LUCAS may have been developed using reverse engineering techniques from recovered Iranian drones. While United States officials have not commented on the development process, the system’s structural and visual similarities to the Shahed 136 are considered significant.
Images released by United States Central Command show light coloured rectangular panels mounted on the upper fuselage, which analysts believe resemble satellite internet terminals produced by SpaceX for its Starlink network. The integration of satellite communication allows operators to maintain control throughout the drone’s entire flight path, enabling low altitude navigation to avoid detection while potentially receiving real time video feed from onboard cameras. This enhances the drone’s ability to conduct extended range operations and reduces vulnerability to traditional interception methods.
LUCAS drones were reportedly deployed in late 2025 as part of specialised military operations and are seen as part of a growing trend towards low cost, high effectiveness uncrewed systems. The combination of long range, satellite enabled control and precision targeting positions LUCAS as a versatile asset for military planning, demonstrating the increasing role of uncrewed aerial platforms in modern operations. The deployment reflects a shift towards integrating commercially available satellite communication technology into military drones, offering both cost efficiency and operational flexibility in various environments.
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