Game-Changer? US Sends LUCAS One-Way Attack Drones to the Middle East

The United States has announced the first operational deployment of a new generation of one-way attack drones in the Middle East, marking a notable shift in military strategy.

Built by SpektreWorks, the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System, known as LUCAS, was developed after U.S. specialists reverse-engineered an Iranian Shahed model obtained several years ago.

These small delta-wing drones cost about $35,000 each, far less than conventional aircraft, yet can travel long distances, carry explosives, operate autonomously and be launched from mobile systems.

U.S. Central Command has formed a dedicated unit, Task Force Scorpion Strike, to oversee their use, operating under a joint special-operations structure rather than any single service branch.

Officials say the deployment reflects lessons drawn from the Ukraine war and Iran’s use of Shahed drones against Israel: low-cost unmanned systems have changed modern conflict, enabling rapid, long-range strikes at scale.

The U.S. describes the drones as a deterrent tool rather than a signal of imminent escalation, arguing they reduce risk compared with using manned aircraft. The move also aligns with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s “drone dominance” push to speed delivery of low-cost capabilities to the field, particularly as Iran’s air defenses remain weakened after recent attacks