WASHINGTON – American military forces launched strikes against Iranian targets Saturday using an unprecedented combination of advanced weaponry, including the first-ever combat deployment of inexpensive suicide drones based on Iranian technology.
U.S. Central Command shared images and details of the military operation, designated Operation Epic Fury, showcasing the deployment of Tomahawk cruise missiles, F-18 and F-35 fighter aircraft in the coordinated attack.
Military officials confirmed they utilized kamikaze-style drones that closely resemble the newly developed LUCAS (Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System), produced by Spektreworks in Phoenix, Arizona. The defense contractor did not provide comment when contacted.
According to Pentagon officials, this marked the inaugural combat use of single-use attack drones designed to mirror Iran’s Shahed drone technology. These expendable drones are intentionally affordable and designed for mass production by multiple manufacturers, defense officials explained.
Each LUCAS drone carries a price tag of approximately $35,000. The growing importance of drone technology in modern warfare has been highlighted by Russia’s conflict in Ukraine, prompting the U.S. and allied nations to adopt an “affordable mass” approach – stockpiling large quantities of cost-effective weapons systems.
The military also deployed Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, which are long-distance cruise missiles designed for deep-strike operations launched from naval vessels. These precision weapons can engage targets up to 1,000 miles away, even in heavily fortified airspace. Each Tomahawk measures 20 feet in length with an 8.5-foot wingspan and weighs roughly 3,330 pounds.
Raytheon, a division of RTX, manufactures these conventional (non-nuclear) Tomahawks for both land and sea-based launches. Pentagon procurement records indicate plans to purchase 57 of these missiles in 2026, with each unit costing an average of $1.3 million. Ongoing modernization efforts involve millions in upgrades, including enhanced guidance systems.
A recent Pentagon-Raytheon contract aims to boost Tomahawk production capacity to 1,000 missiles per year. These GPS-guided weapons have undergone extensive testing and operational use, including recent deployments by U.S. and British naval forces against Houthi positions in Yemen.
Central Command also released visual documentation of F/A-18 and F-35 fighter jets participating in the Iranian strikes. The F-35 represents fifth-generation stealth technology capable of avoiding radar detection while delivering precision munitions. These aircraft have been extensively deployed throughout Middle Eastern operations and are also utilized by Israeli forces.
The F-18, manufactured by Boeing, serves as a versatile multi-role platform capable of air-to-air combat and ground attack missions using various bombs and missiles. F-35s can deploy specialized missiles designed to target and eliminate radar installations, effectively blinding enemy defenses.
