US Plans Mass Production of Iran's Shahed Drone Design
TL;DR Summary
The Wall Street Journal reports the U.S. is moving to mass‑produce the Iran‑designed Shahed drone as a low‑cost system called LUCAS, with unit costs around $25,000–$50,000 (about $35,000 in U.S. service). The effort follows Iran’s Shahed‑136 use by Russia in Ukraine and Russia’s help refining the drones; proponents argue cheaper drones and laser defenses could offset the high cost of MQ‑9 Reapers, though lasers face weather limitations.
- U.S. Wants to Mass Produce the Drone Design It Stole From Iran Gizmodo
- US race to counter Iranian drones echoes response to roadside bombs in Iraq and Afghanistan CNN
- Pentagon Plans to Mass Produce Attack Drone Used in Iran War Bloomberg.com
- Pentagon Wants to Mass Produce Kamikaze Attack Drones It Used to Strike Iran WSJ
- Fighter jets are downing Iranian drones—a dangerous, expensive mission Defense One
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