Aircraft & UAVs

LUCAS

Also known as
  • Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System
  • Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System
  • FLM 136
  • FLM-136

LUCAS, the Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, is a U.S. one-way attack UAV associated with SpektreWorks' FLM 136 airframe and fielded through CENTCOM's Task Force Scorpion Strike. The system emphasizes affordable mass, autonomous operation, multiple launch methods, and long-range strike utility, and CENTCOM said it was used in combat during Operation Epic Fury against Iran.

LUCAS, One-way attack UAV / loitering munition, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: U.S. Navy in Middle East Employs Attack Drone at Sea for First Time

Role in Conflicts

2026 United States-Venezuela Conflict
Long-Range Strike

Defense reporting based on local video, acoustic evidence, and source claims indicated U.S. use of LUCAS or LUCAS-type one-way attack drones during January 2026 Operation Absolute Resolve strikes in Caracas; public U.S. statements confirmed drones in the operation but did not officially identify LUCAS.

2025 Israel-Iran Conflict
Long-Range Strike
Side
United States

During the wider Israel-Iran conflict, U.S. forces used LUCAS one-way attack drones in Operation Epic Fury strikes against Iranian targets; defense reporting described Epic Fury as a joint U.S.-Israeli attack, but the LUCAS operator evidence points to U.S. forces rather than Israeli use.

Role details
Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Built by
SpektreWorks
Type
One-way attack UAV / loitering munition
Service note
Introduced and deployed by U.S. Central Command in 2025
Designer
SpektreWorks
Designed
Publicly documented testing and fielding in 2025
Unit cost
Approximately $35,000 per platform reported by CENTCOM
Produced
2025-present
Number built
Not publicly disclosed

Specifications

Role
Low-cost one-way attack UAV / loitering munition
Length
9.8 ft (3 m) for FLM 136 baseline
Wingspan
8.2 ft (2.5 m) for FLM 136 baseline
Maximum takeoff weight
180 lb (81.5 kg) for FLM 136 baseline
Payload
Up to 40 lb (18 kg) for FLM 136 baseline
Range
350 nmi unrestricted C2 for FLM 136 baseline; CENTCOM describes LUCAS as extensive-range and beyond-line-of-sight capable
Launch methods
Catapult, rocket-assisted takeoff, mobile ground, and vehicle launch options
Propulsion
215 cc carbureted engine for FLM 136 baseline
Variants

Public sources tie LUCAS to SpektreWorks' FLM 136 airframe; official military releases usually use the LUCAS acronym for the operational one-way attack system.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
FLM 136SpektreWorks baseline airframe

SpektreWorks publishes FLM 136 data for the delta-wing airframe, including the dimensions, payload, engine, range, and multiple launch options reflected in the LUCAS profile.

Sources: FLM 136, Low-cost combat attack system tested at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground

Timeline

LUCAS Key Events

  1. CENTCOM photographs deployed LUCAS drones

    CENTCOM imagery placed LUCAS drones with the new one-way attack drone squadron in its area of responsibility and described the platforms as low-cost, scalable capabilities for U.S. forces.

    Sources: U.S. Launches One-Way-Attack Drone Force in the Middle East

  2. Yuma testing publicly described

    The U.S. Army reported that Yuma Proving Ground hosted evaluations of LUCAS, a Marine Corps-sponsored one-way attack aircraft, with inert payloads and mass-production goals.

    Sources: Low-cost combat attack system tested at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground

  3. First shipboard launch from USS Santa Barbara

    Task Force 59 launched a LUCAS from USS Santa Barbara in the Arabian Gulf, demonstrating naval flight-deck launch of the system.

    Sources: U.S. Navy in Middle East Employs Attack Drone at Sea for First Time

  4. Combat use reported in Operation Epic Fury

    CENTCOM-linked reporting and defense coverage identified LUCAS as used by U.S. forces in Operation Epic Fury strikes against Iranian targets.

    Sources: US confirms first combat use of LUCAS one-way attack drone in Iran strikes

Launch And Force Integration

LUCAS is presented publicly as a low-cost, one-way attack aircraft that can be launched from several mechanisms rather than a single dedicated launcher. Official Navy reporting says U.S. forces can launch the platform by catapult, rocket-assisted takeoff, mobile ground systems, and vehicle systems, and it documented a Task Force 59 launch from USS Santa Barbara in the Arabian Gulf.

Operational unit

Task Force Scorpion Strike fielded LUCAS as part of CENTCOM's one-way attack drone force.

Naval test launch

USS Santa Barbara provided the flight-deck launch setting for the first public at-sea LUCAS launch.

Launch flexibility

Official Navy reporting lists catapult, rocket-assisted, mobile ground, and vehicle launch options.

Sources: U.S. Navy in Middle East Employs Attack Drone at Sea for First Time; FLM 136.

Media

LUCAS Videos

LUCAS Images

LUCAS, One-way attack UAV / loitering munition, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: U.S. Navy in Middle East Employs Attack Drone at Sea for First Time
LUCAS, One-way attack UAV / loitering munition, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: U.S. Navy in Middle East Employs Attack Drone at Sea for First Time
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Related News

Sources

Low-cost combat attack system tested at U.S. Army Yuma Proving GroundPublisher: U.S. Army | Note: Supports LUCAS identity as a Marine Corps-sponsored one-way attack aircraft, Yuma testing context, and mass-production intent. | Accessed: 2026-07-02FLM 136Publisher: SpektreWorks | Note: Supports manufacturer and baseline FLM 136 dimensions, payload, range, speed, propulsion, avionics, and launch data. | Accessed: 2026-07-02U.S. Launches One-Way-Attack Drone Force in the Middle EastPublisher: U.S. Central Command | Note: Supports deployment with Task Force Scorpion Strike, approximate unit cost, and CENTCOM regional deterrence context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02U.S. Forces Launch Operation Epic FuryPublisher: U.S. Central Command | Note: Direct conflict-use source for 2020 United States-Iran Conflict and 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict: Task Force Scorpion Strike used low-cost one-way attack drones during U.S. and partner strikes on Iran in Operation Epic Fury. | Accessed: 2026-07-02U.S. Navy in Middle East Employs Attack Drone at Sea for First TimePublisher: U.S. Navy | Note: Supports LUCAS launch methods, shipboard launch context, and official photo captions for the gallery images. | Accessed: 2026-07-02U.S. Navy in Middle East Employs Attack Drone at Sea for First Time [Image 2 of 2]Publisher: DVIDS | Note: Public-domain image provenance for a LUCAS launch from USS Santa Barbara in the Arabian Gulf. | Accessed: 2026-07-02US confirms first combat use of LUCAS one-way attack drone in Iran strikesPublisher: Military Times | Note: Direct conflict-use source for 2020 United States-Iran Conflict: LUCAS was used by U.S. forces during Operation Epic Fury strikes on Iran. | Accessed: 2026-07-02After first combat appearance, LUCAS drones remain ready for future Epic Fury strikes against IranPublisher: DefenseScoop | Note: Direct conflict-use source for 2020 United States-Iran Conflict and 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict: LUCAS was used by U.S. forces in Operation Epic Fury, which the article describes as a U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran. | Accessed: 2026-07-02LUCAS Kamikaze Drones Lauded As Indispensable By U.S. Admiral In Charge Of Iran WarPublisher: The War Zone | Note: Direct conflict-use source for 2025 Israel-Iran Conflict: LUCAS was fired by U.S. forces against Iranian targets during what the article calls the opening salvos of the Operation Epic Fury joint U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran. | Accessed: 2026-07-02U.S. makes combat debut of kamikaze-style dronesPublisher: Defence Blog | Note: Direct conflict-use source for 2026 United States-Venezuela Conflict: reports visual evidence and source claims indicating U.S. LUCAS one-way attack drone use during Operation Absolute Resolve strikes in Caracas. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Did The U.S. Use Kamikaze Drones To Strike Venezuela?Publisher: The War Zone | Note: Direct conflict-use source for 2026 United States-Venezuela Conflict: assesses evidence that LUCAS-type kamikaze drones were used in U.S. strikes on Venezuela, with caveats around public confirmation. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Littoral Combat Ship Launches Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drone ClonePublisher: The War Zone | Note: Supports shipboard launch analysis, LUCAS relationship to Shahed-136-style design context, and the caveat that public FLM 136 specifications may not match every operational LUCAS configuration. | Accessed: 2026-07-02