SAEDNEWS: In a move that has raised eyebrows across the defense world, the U.S. military has unveiled a new kamikaze drone closely resembling Iran’s Shahed models—marking a tacit recognition of Tehran’s rapid technological rise.
According to Saed News, the unveiling of the U.S.-developed LUCAS (Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System) drone on July 16 has triggered both astonishment and quiet acknowledgment within global defense circles. Designed by Arizona-based contractor SpektreWorks, the LUCAS drone mirrors the design, mission profile, and tactical philosophy of Iran’s Shahed-class drones—long dismissed by Washington as crude or exaggerated.
The new drone’s debut comes at a moment of profound irony. For years, U.S. officials downplayed Iran’s military advancements, with members of former President Donald Trump’s administration even accusing Tehran of fabricating its capabilities. But the unveiling of a near replica of Iran’s flagship kamikaze drone suggests that reality has caught up with rhetoric.
Though technologically inferior in several respects—higher cost, lower range, and diminished maneuverability—the LUCAS drone underscores a broader shift: Iran is now an innovator, not just an imitator, in the evolving drone warfare arena.
Iran’s military trajectory since the 1980s Iran–Iraq War has been defined by necessity and resolve. Deprived of external support, Tehran cultivated an indigenous defense industry. From scavenged missile parts to sophisticated UAV systems, Iran’s transformation has been nothing short of remarkable. The Shahed series, particularly noted for its low-cost precision and strategic utility, has been deployed effectively across several regional conflicts—most recently in a 12-day exchange with Israel that left deep scars on critical infrastructure despite the presence of advanced Western air defenses.
The United States' quiet emulation of these drones, intentional or not, signals the end of an era of dismissal and the beginning of a grudging respect. In 2025, Tehran’s lesson to the world is unambiguous: strategic persistence, when married to innovation, can challenge even the most established military powers.
