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Can U.S.-Made Shahed Clones Compete In Drone Wars?
The recent footage showcasing mass production of Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones at a Russian facility has sparked concerns over the ability of Russia to launch massive drone attacks. The revelation raises questions on whether the U.S. can create a similar, cost-effective alternative.
Recently, the Pentagon unveiled plans for a new attack drone, dubbed LUCAS (Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System). This drone was showcased at an event attended by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and resembles the Shahed-136. However, experts are skeptical about its capabilities due to its specifications being less impressive compared to the original Shahed-136.
The FLM-136, a copy of the Shahed-136 designed for “threat emulation,” is another option. Although it may not have the performance of the real thing, it could still be used as an aerial target for U.S. forces to practice shooting down Shaheds.
The development of low-cost, long-range attack drones has become increasingly important in modern warfare, with Ukraine planning to produce 30,000 such drones this year alone. This rapid evolution raises concerns over whether the U.S. military can keep up with Russia’s production rate.
In response to President Trump’s request for a drone that costs $35,000 to $40,000, a company called SpektreWorks has created LUCAS, which appears to be an exact replica of the Shahed-136. While its performance is inferior to the original Shahed-136, it could still serve as an aerial target for U.S. forces to practice shooting down drones.
However, it remains unclear if this will suffice in drone wars, as the U.S. military relies heavily on sophisticated and highly capable weapons like the Tomahawk cruise missile.
Source: www.forbes.com
