Click to see full-size image. (U.S. Army)
The United States Navy has test-launched a Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System (LUCAS) long-range suicide drone from the Independence class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) USS Santa Barbara in the Middle East.
The test, which took place on December 16, two weeks after the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that it had established Task Force Scorpion Strike (TFSS) in the region, armed with the LUCAS drones.
Personnel from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s (NAVCENT) Task Force 59 conducted the rocket-assisted launch of the LUCAS drone from the stern flight deck of the USS Santa Barbara, according to a statement released by CENTCOM two days after the test.
“This first successful launch of LUCAS from a naval vessel marks a significant milestone in rapidly delivering affordable and effective unmanned capabilities to the warfighter,” said Vice Adm. Curt Renshaw, commander of NAVCENT/C5F. “This achievement demonstrates the power of innovation and joint collaboration in this critical region.”
The LUCAS, first showcased to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth by the Arizona-based defense contractor SpektreWorks in July, is an almost exact copy of Iran’s Shahed-136.
Design wise, the drone closely resembles the Shahed-136 with a triangular wingspan of approximately 2.5 to 3 meters and a piston engine. It seems to be built on or derived from SpektreWorks’s FLM 136 target drone, which is often mislabeled as FLM 131.
SpektreWorks describes the LUCAS as a “reliable and cost-effective Group 3 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) designed to perform in austere conditions with minimal logistical requirements.”
Drone classified by the U.S. military as Group 3 UAS can weigh up to 600 kilograms and operate at altitudes up to 5,500 meters.
CENTCOM said that the LUCAS has an extensive range and can be launched with different mechanisms to include catapults, rocket-assisted takeoff, and mobile ground and vehicle systems.
“This platform will undoubtedly enhance regional maritime security and deterrence,” said Renshaw.
The LUCAS appears to be highly modular. Beside suicide, or one-way-attack missions, the dronecan be modified for reconnaissance operations, as well as in the decoy role.
The drone and TFSS are the U.S. direct response to Iran’s ever growing drone program, which has allowed the Islamic Republic to spread its influence across the Middle East for well over a decade now. CENTCOM will clearly use this new capability to challenge Tehran and its allies, possibly mimicking their tactics by using the drones to carry out covert attacks.
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the true role of the shahed resides in the asymmetrical strategy it serves.
false flag device number uno