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US Unveils LUCAS Combat Drone to Counter Iran’s Shahed on Global Battlefields
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![Photo of Maryna Kulakova]( "Photo of Maryna Kulakova")
The United States has introduced a low-cost combat drone intended to compete with Iran’s widely deployed Shahed-136, aiming to boost affordable airpower capabilities on today’s battlefields, according to Defense Blog on July 17.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reviewed the LUCAS (Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System) drone during a demonstration of multi-domain autonomous systems in the Pentagon courtyard.
Developed by Arizona-based company SpektreWorks, LUCAS is designed to be an affordable and adaptable platform tailored for operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
SpektreWorks describes LUCAS as a reliable and cost-effective drone capable of operating in harsh environments with minimal logistical support. Its open architecture allows for the integration of various payloads, enabling the drone to perform reconnaissance, strike, and communications missions.
The drone is reusable and can be launched using either a catapult or a rocket booster. In addition to combat functions, LUCAS will also act as a relay in a multi-domain mesh network of unmanned systems—enhancing secure communications between US and allied forces, especially in environments where traditional networks are vulnerable.
Visually, LUCAS resembles the Iran-Russia-made Shahed (also known as “Geran-2”), featuring a triangular delta-wing design and a piston engine.
Defense analysts believe LUCAS could become a key asset for US Indo-Pacific Command, supporting distributed maritime operations and defending against large-scale drone threats.
SpektreWorks stated that LUCAS has completed successful testing and is ready for production, with integration into US and allied forces expected soon.
The unveiling comes as the Pentagon pushes forward with major reforms to integrate small drones more widely across all branches of the US military. Some types of small UAVs will now be classified as expendable munitions—similar to hand grenades or other ammo—rather than as full-fledged aircraft.
Lower-level commanders have also been granted authority to purchase small drones directly.
Previously, Ukrainian defense tech startup The Fourth Law unveiled never-before-seen footage showing the battlefield deployment of its AI-powered TFL-1 autonomy module and Lupynis-10-TFL-1 drones, according to the information company shared with UNITED24 Media.
