US hits Iran using cloned Iranian Shahed drones
What's the story
The United States has reportedly launched an attack on Iranian targets using drones that are replicas of Iran's Shahed 136 suicide drones. The operation, named "Operation Epic Fury," was executed by Task Force Scorpion Strike, the US military's first one-way-attack drone squadron based in the Middle East. The squadron is part of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees military operations in the region.
Drone details
LUCAS drones
The LUCAS drones, which were used in the operation, are said to have been developed by Arizona-based SpektreWorks in collaboration with the US military. Each drone costs around $35,000, making them cheaper than other long-range weapons like Tomahawk cruise missiles. The LUCAS drones are about 10 feet long and have an eight-foot wingspan.
Retaliatory strike
Iran retaliates with Shahed drones
In response to the US attack, Iran launched its own Shahed drones at the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain. Although some of these drones managed to get through, they caused only minimal damage at the base. The extent of Iran's retaliatory capacity remains uncertain due to sanctions that have limited access to components needed for drone production.
Strategy and challenges
Key details about operation
The LUCAS drones were initially intended for training purposes but have an open, modular design that allows them to be used for different missions. While officials have not disclosed how many LUCAS drones were used in the strikes, they confirmed that Tomahawk cruise missiles were also part of the operation. Iran's domestic production is hampered by sanctions and its inventory is affected by exports to Russia, which heavily relies on Shahed drones in its war against Ukraine.