Iran Claims It Shot Down U.S. LUCAS Attack Drone Used in Strikes Near the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran claims to have shot down a U.S. LUCAS attack drone over Bandar Abbas, near the Strait of Hormuz, as American forces continue to employ this type of aircraft in military operations against Iranian territory. Inspired by Tehran's Shahed-136, the LUCAS reflects the U.S. military's adoption of low-cost attack drones designed to complement conventional strike capabilities and increase pressure on enemy air defense networks.

A U.S. LUCAS one-way attack drone launches from the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) in the Arabian Gulf on December 16, operated by Task Force 59 as part of the U.S. military’s expanding unmanned strike capabilities in the Middle East (Picture source: US DoD)

The reported interception comes as Washington and Tehran continue their military confrontation in the Persian Gulf. The deployment of American drones built around an architecture similar to that of Iranian Shahed aircraft reflects a shift in U.S. strike capabilities toward expendable systems that can be manufactured and deployed in large numbers.

On October 25, 2026, Iran's Tasnim News Agency reported that Iranian Army air defense units had intercepted and destroyed a U.S. LUCAS drone over Bandar Abbas. Citing a military statement, the agency said the aircraft had been engaged by systems integrated into Iran's national air defense network. The port city, located on the northern coast of the Strait of Hormuz, hosts several military and naval installations of strategic importance to Iran.

Related Article: Iran captures disabled US Anduril Dive-LD military underwater drone in Strait of Hormuz

The operational use of LUCAS against Iran was officially confirmed by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) on February 28, 2026, during the launch of Operation Epic Fury. The campaign included strikes against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command centers, air defense positions, missile and drone launch facilities, and military airfields. The system had previously been introduced into U.S. forces deployed in the Middle East through Task Force Scorpion Strike, a unit specializing in one-way attack drones.

Developed by the American company SpektreWorks, the LUCAS is based on the FLM 136, an aerial target originally designed to replicate the flight characteristics of Iranian Shahed-type drones during military training. It features a delta-wing configuration, a compact fuselage, and a rear-mounted pusher propeller engine. This architecture, similar to that of the Shahed-136, prioritizes manufacturing simplicity and supports the possibility of large-scale production. The American system nevertheless has its own dimensions, payload capacity, and electronic equipment.

In its original configuration, the FLM 136 has a reported range of approximately 800 kilometers, a maximum payload of 18 kilograms, and a maximum takeoff weight of around 82 kilograms. The LUCAS is designed to be launched from ground-based equipment, including mobile launchers, and to conduct one-way attack missions. Its modular architecture allows different payloads and communication systems to be integrated. With an estimated unit cost of approximately $35,000, the aircraft offers the possibility of employing larger numbers against military targets while limiting the expenditure associated with individual strikes.

The development of this aircraft forms part of a broader evolution in the employment of attack drones. Iran has used Shahed-136 drones for long-range strikes for several years, while their extensive deployment by Russia against Ukraine has demonstrated the demands they place on air defense networks. These aircraft can be launched in successive waves, forcing defenders to mobilize radar systems, air defense weapons, and stocks of interceptor missiles. Their relatively low cost also makes it possible to maintain pressure on opposing defenses over extended periods.

The United States began employing LUCAS in combat during its campaign against Iran, alongside its conventional air and naval assets. American operations have targeted Iranian missile launch capabilities, command infrastructure, and air defense installations. In June 2026, CENTCOM also announced strikes against radar installations and drone command centers near Goruk and Qeshm Island following the destruction of a U.S. MQ-1 drone over international waters. These engagements illustrate the growing role of unmanned systems in military operations around the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian forces have also claimed several interceptions or captures of American unmanned systems in the region. In September, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed to have captured an Anduril Dive-LD autonomous underwater vehicle near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian authorities subsequently announced the seizure of another underwater vehicle, identified as a REMUS 600, during a reconnaissance mission. Tehran has also claimed the destruction of American aerial drones, including an MQ-9 Reaper and an earlier LUCAS, as well as a strike against an unmanned surface vessel. Several of these claims have been disputed by U.S. military officials.

The integration of LUCAS into the American arsenal marks a change in how the United States approaches strike operations against adversaries equipped with extensive air defense networks. U.S. military power has traditionally relied on advanced combat aircraft, cruise missiles, and precision-guided weapons, whose costs and capabilities correspond to specific missions. Expendable attack drones now provide a complementary capability to multiply avenues of attack, force opponents to commit additional air defense resources, and saturate defensive networks through coordinated strikes. This development allows American forces to adopt methods previously employed against them and their allies using Iranian-designed drones, while retaining their long-range precision strike capabilities.

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Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests include security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.