LUCAS Archives

Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones are positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command. (Photo by CENTCOM Public Affairs).

Pentagon selects Shield AI to plug swarm software into LUCAS drone, company says

Shield AI said its Hivemind software will “serve as the AI pilot for the LUCAS program, enabling groups of drones to coordinate, maneuver, and adapt together to…

May 20, 2026 By Drew F. Lawrence

Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael and Director, Department of Defense, Administrator Kelly Loeffler (Small Business Administration) attend a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency event at DARPA Headquarters, Arlington, Va., April 29, 2026. (DoW photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Milton Hamilton)

‘America’s seed fund’ is being revamped for modern warfare

Senior U.S. officials shed new light on their plans for the SBIR/STTR programs after a funding lapse and major reauthorization.

Apr 29, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

(Photo courtesy of U.S. Central Command)

Centcom commander says ‘hundreds’ of U.S. drones are involved in Iran war

U.S. Central Command launched more LUCAS drones against Iran.

Apr 7, 2026 By Jon Harper

A U.S. Sailor, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 31, serves as a medical safety observer on the flight deck of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), while underway, March 17, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo)

Nearly 300 U.S. troops have been wounded in Operation Epic Fury amid drone, missile attacks

The Iran war is spotlighting serious vulnerabilities that the U.S. is confronting, associated with drone threats.

Mar 24, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones are positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command operating area, Nov. 23. (DVIDS -Courtesy Photo)

DOD’s arsenal of LUCAS drones ‘in the dozens’ amid their combat debut

“We’re not in full-rate production. So, we shipped what we had” to U.S. Central Command, Pentagon CTO Emil Michael told DefenseScoop.

Mar 17, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, makes an announcement aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) in the Arabian Sea, Feb. 7, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sonny Escalante)

Centcom commander touts use of AI in fight against Iran during Operation Epic Fury

Advanced AI tools "can turn processes that used to take hours and sometimes even days into seconds,” Adm. Cooper said.

Mar 11, 2026 By Jon Harper

(Screenshot of a video released by U.S. Central Command March 3, 2026, showing an airstrike on an Iranian drone.)

Iran’s one-way attack drone launches drop as U.S. prepares to rev up Operation Epic Fury

“When we say ‘the throttle is going up,’ the throttle is going up — and it's going to stay on high,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.

Mar 4, 2026 By Brandi Vincent

Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones seen positioned on the tarmac at a base in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) operating area, Nov. 23, 2025. The LUCAS platforms are part of a one-way attack drone squadron CENTCOM recently deployed to the Middle East to strengthen regional security and deterrence. (Courtesy Photo)

After first combat appearance, LUCAS drones ‘remain ready’ for future Epic Fury strikes against Iran

The one-way attack drones "remain ready for employment,” a U.S. Central Command spokesperson told DefenseScoop.

Mar 2, 2026 By Brandi Vincent