WASHINGTON, — March 1, 2026 : U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that American forces deployed one-way attack drones during ongoing military operations against Iran under the campaign designated Operation Epic Fury. The confirmation marks the first acknowledged combat use by the United States of kamikaze-style loitering munitions.
Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, 2026, at the direction of the President of the United States and is being conducted in coordination with Israel. According to CENTCOM, the campaign has targeted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command and control facilities, Iranian air defense systems, missile and drone launch sites, military installations, and airfields. The one-way attack drones were employed during both the initial and follow-on phases of the strikes, alongside munitions launched from air, land, and sea platforms. The broader operation remains ongoing.
Platform Design and Development
The drone system used in the operation is designated the Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS). U.S. defense officials stated that the platform was developed after the U.S. military obtained a captured Iranian Shahed-136 loitering munition and reverse-engineered its design. Production of the American variant was contracted to Arizona-based defense firm SpektreWorks.
The LUCAS drone retains the core delta-wing configuration characteristic of the Shahed-136 but incorporates modifications introduced by U.S. engineers. These include enhanced fuel efficiency and a reduced acoustic signature. The system has an operational range of approximately 500 miles (800 kilometers) and is capable of carrying a 40-pound explosive payload. Analysts assess that the payload produces roughly twice the explosive force of a standard Hellfire missile.
The modular design allows the platform to be launched from multiple configurations. During Operation Epic Fury, the drones were primarily deployed from ground-based launch systems. However, the platform is compatible with naval and vehicle-mounted launch mechanisms. The system was previously test-fired from a U.S. Navy Littoral Combat Ship in late 2025.
Task Force Deployment
The LUCAS drones were fielded by Task Force Scorpion Strike, a specialized unit established by CENTCOM in December 2025. The task force was created to integrate low-cost autonomous weapons systems into frontline operations and to expand the use of networked strike capabilities.
CENTCOM stated that the one-way attack drones formed part of a broader precision strike package used during the campaign. The strikes targeted Iranian military installations, air defense nodes, and command facilities. No details were released regarding the number of drones deployed, specific launch locations, or the individual outcomes of the strikes.
Cost and Strategic Considerations
At an estimated unit cost of approximately $35,000, the LUCAS platform represents a lower-cost alternative to traditional precision-guided munitions such as Tomahawk cruise missiles, which cost several million dollars per unit. Defense officials indicate that the adoption of one-way attack drones expands operational flexibility by enabling scalable strike options and swarm tactics.
The use of a system modeled after the Iranian-designed Shahed-136 reflects a shift in procurement and tactical planning, incorporating low-cost autonomous platforms into conventional strike operations. CENTCOM confirmed the employment of the drones as part of its regular operational update issued March 1, 2026.
No additional operational details have been released.
——— End of Article ———
