The US has deployed the FLM 136 LUCAS loitering munition in Operation Epic Fury to strike Iranian military targets without risking pilots.
U.S. forces have deployed a new American-made loitering munition during Operation Epic Fury , a joint campaign with Israel aimed at Iran ian military infrastructure.The system, known as LUCAS and commercially designated FLM 136 by Arizona-based SpektreWorks, was used to expand long-range precision strike options without putting pilots at risk in heavily defended airspace.
The move marks a clear shift toward domestically produced, attritable unmanned systems that can operate deep inside contested zones. Instead of relying only on high-value aircraft and expensive cruise missiles, commanders are now adding scalable drones that can loiter for hours and strike when the moment is right.Campaign targets Iran’s defense networkOperation Epic Fury was launched to degrade Iran’s integrated air defense systems, ballistic missile forces, and command and control structure. The campaign combines stealth aircraft, stand-off weapons, electronic warfare, and unmanned systems in coordinated strike cycles designed to weaken Tehran’s layered defenses.Within this framework, LUCAS serves as a persistent loiter-and-strike platform. It can identify, track, and engage time-sensitive targets while shortening the sensor-to-shooter chain. That ability is especially important against mobile missile launchers and air defense units that frequently relocate.By using U.S.-produced loitering munitions with modular payloads and extended endurance, military planners gain a flexible tool for precision strikes. The drone can remain overhead, confirm target identity, and strike only when conditions are favorable. This reduces the need to send manned aircraft into dense air defense zones.Sea-based test paved the wayThe groundwork for LUCAS operations began months earlier. On December 16, 2025, a Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System launched from the flight deck of the Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara while operating in the Arabian Gulf. The drone was operated by U.S. Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force 59. He served with Task Force Scorpion Strike, a one-way attack-drone squadron deployed to the Middle East to enhance regional security and deterrence.That demonstration confirmed the drone could operate from naval platforms without traditional runways. Launch options include a pneumatic rail system or rocket-assisted takeoff, allowing deployment from forward positions or ship decks.The aircraft measures about 9.8 feet in length with an 8.2-foot wingspan. It has an empty weight of 70 pounds and a maximum takeoff weight of 180 pounds. This allows room for fuel and modular payloads within a compact airframe that can be transported and set up quickly.Six-hour endurance and deep reachAccording to manufacturer data, the FLM 136 is powered by a 215 cc carbureted engine and can remain airborne for approximately six hours. Cruise speed is rated at 63 mph, with a dash speed of 115 mph for rapid repositioning or terminal attack. The drone can operate above 10,000 feet density altitude, placing it beyond the reach of some short-range air defense systems.Under controlled command conditions, the published range is 350 nautical miles, or about 403 miles. That allows deep-strike capability from stand-off launch points outside heavily defended zones.In strike configuration, the system can carry up to 40 pounds of payload. Options include high-explosive fragmentation or shaped-charge warheads capable of targeting radar arrays, mobile surface-to-air missile launchers, ballistic missile transporter erector launchers, fuel depots, and reinforced command facilities. During the final attack phase, the drone transitions from loiter to a steep dive to maximize penetration and impact.Autonomous navigation and inertial backup systems are designed to reduce vulnerability to electronic warfare interference.The integration of LUCAS into Operation Epic Fury reflects a broader evolution in U.S. military doctrine. Instead of depending solely on advanced aircraft and high-cost munitions, the Pentagon is incorporating lower-cost loitering systems that can sustain pressure over time.
Iran Iran Conflict Kamikaze Drone LUCAS Operation Epic Fury Shahed Drones US Strikes Iran US-Iran War
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