The US has used new LUCAS drones, similar to Shahed, against Iran for the first time
The US Central Command reported the first use of new long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, known as the Low Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS), against Iran. Many commentators call these devices an unlicensed copy of the Shahed 136 and suggest that they were created by reverse engineering based on the study of downed or crashed drones.
In terms of design, LUCAS drones are similar to Shahed 136 drones. They have a similar aerodynamic layout, internal combustion engine and propeller.
In photographs released by CENTCOM in December, light rectangles are visible in the upper part of the fuselage, visually resembling Starlink satellite internet terminals. The US has officially confirmed the use of these drones in Iran, but has not reported on the use of satellite terminals.
It is also unknown which terminals can be installed on LUCAS. SpaceX has deployed both the commercial Starlink network and the specialised military Starshield system.
The use of drones with satellite terminals allows them to be controlled throughout their flight. If the drone is equipped with a camera, the operator can control it visually. It is difficult to interfere with the satellite signal, which makes it difficult to intercept such devices. The operator can fly the drone at low altitude, bypassing air defence areas.
Little is known about the technical characteristics of LUCAS. In a December article about the system's testing, a representative of the US Army mentioned the presence of an automatic target recognition system, which could increase the accuracy and autonomy of the drone.
In December 2025, the Russian military began using drones with Starlink terminals, purchased abroad in circumvention of sanctions, in the war against Ukraine. At the end of January, Ukrainian Defence Minister Advisor Serhiy Beskrestnov said that hundreds of confirmed cases of drone attacks using Starlink had been recorded.
In early February, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence agreed with SpaceX to disable Starlink terminals that are not on Ukraine's white list. After that, Russian units lost the ability to use such drones and access the internet on the front lines in many places.
It is noted that Russia does not have its own similar satellite system. Bureau 1440 is developing a low-orbit satellite constellation, but the first group of devices, which was planned to be launched in 2025, has not yet been put into orbit.
The idea of mass use of inexpensive strike drones has previously been used by Iran and Russia. Since 2022, Russia has been using Iranian Shahed drones, renamed Geran, against Ukraine, constantly increasing their production.
The name LUCAS emphasises the low cost of the system. According to Reuters, the price of one drone can be around $35,000. For their use in the United States, a separate squadron, Task Force Scorpion Strike, has been created and deployed in the Middle East.
