US Plans Large-Scale Production Of Drones Deployed In Iran War
Pentagon plans scaling production of drones used in Iran conflict.
The Pentagon is moving toward mass production of a low-cost “kamikaze” attack drone that was recently deployed in strikes during the Iran conflict, signalling a major shift in U.S. military strategy toward scalable, inexpensive weapons systems.
The drone, known as the Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS), has been used in combat operations and is now being refined for large-scale manufacturing after demonstrating effectiveness on the battlefield. U.S. defence officials say the system’s performance has reinforced the case for rapidly expanding production to meet evolving warfare demands.
Developed by Arizona-based defence firm SpektreWorks, LUCAS is designed as a one-way attack drone, meaning it is intended to strike targets and detonate on impact. The platform is relatively inexpensive — estimated at around $35,000 per unit — making it significantly cheaper than traditional systems like the MQ-9 Reaper, which can cost tens of millions of dollars.
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The system is notably modeled on Iran’s Shahed-series drones, which have been widely used in conflicts across the Middle East and Ukraine. By reverse-engineering and adapting similar technology, the U.S. military is effectively adopting the same cost-efficient, high-volume approach that adversaries have used to overwhelm air defence systems.
Officials say the push for mass production is part of a broader Pentagon effort to scale up “attritable” weapons — systems cheap enough to be used in large numbers without significant financial loss. This marks a departure from reliance on fewer, highly sophisticated platforms, reflecting lessons learned from recent conflicts where drone swarms have proven both disruptive and cost-effective.
The move also aligns with wider initiatives such as the Pentagon’s push to boost domestic drone manufacturing capacity and streamline procurement timelines. With modern warfare increasingly shaped by unmanned systems, the planned expansion of LUCAS production underscores a strategic pivot toward quantity, speed, and affordability as key determinants of military advantage.
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