Just a few days ago, the United States Central Command announced the establishment of a new unit already deployed to the Middle East that’s dedicated specifically to operating one-way attack drones, starting with one based directly on the Iranian Shahed-136. These new weapons are known as LUCAS, short for Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, and at just about $35,000 a pop, they are undoubtedly among the cheapest missiles in the American arsenal, making it possible to field these weapons in sufficient volume to saturate enemy airspace with targets they can’t afford to ignore.
