What's happened
The US military is deploying low-cost attack drones in the Middle East, emulating Iran's tactics, amid increased investment in autonomous systems and new competition with startups and traditional defense contractors. The move signals a shift toward cheaper, disposable drones for modern warfare.
What's behind the headline?
The US's deployment of low-cost drones marks a strategic pivot towards affordability and rapid deployment in modern combat. This shift is driven by the recognition that traditional, expensive drones are vulnerable in high-end conflicts, prompting a focus on disposable systems that can overwhelm adversaries' defenses.
The Pentagon's investment in autonomous systems, including a planned $9.4 billion for aerial combat drones in FY2026, underscores a broader push to modernize military capabilities. The emphasis on 'loyal wingmen' and counter-drone tech reflects a recognition that future warfare will heavily rely on swarm tactics and electronic warfare.
Meanwhile, the rise of startups like Performance Drone Works and Anduril, competing with established giants like Lockheed Martin and Boeing, indicates a shift in innovation. Startups' agility allows for rapid prototyping and deployment, challenging the slow, scale-dependent approach of traditional defense contractors.
The deployment of the LUCAS drones in the Middle East, resembling Iranian Shahed drones, exemplifies this new approach. Costing around $35,000 each, these drones are designed for autonomous, one-way attack missions, and can be launched from various platforms, making them versatile and hard to counter.
This evolution in drone technology and strategy will likely influence future conflicts, emphasizing swarm tactics, electronic warfare, and cost-effective solutions. It also raises questions about escalation, proliferation, and the ethical implications of disposable, autonomous weapons systems.
What the papers say
The articles from Business Insider UK and The New Arab provide contrasting perspectives on US drone strategy. Business Insider UK highlights the modernization efforts of traditional defense contractors like General Atomics, emphasizing upgrades to legacy systems such as the MQ-9 Reaper and the Pentagon's increased investment in autonomous systems. They note that these upgrades aim to enhance survivability and combat relevance in high-end conflicts.
In contrast, The New Arab focuses on the deployment of low-cost, disposable drones like LUCAS in the Middle East, emphasizing the US's adoption of tactics pioneered by Iran and its proxies. The article underscores the strategic shift towards cheap, autonomous, one-way attack drones designed for swarm tactics and rapid deployment, reflecting a broader trend in modern warfare.
While Business Insider UK discusses the technological upgrades of existing systems, The New Arab highlights the tactical deployment of new, inexpensive drones in active conflict zones. Both perspectives reveal a dual approach: upgrading legacy systems for high-end warfare and deploying low-cost drones for asymmetric and swarm tactics, signaling a comprehensive evolution in US military drone strategy.
How we got here
Recent years have seen a surge in drone use in conflicts, notably by Iran and its proxies in the Middle East, and Russia in Ukraine. The US has historically relied on high-end drones like the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper, but recent developments focus on deploying inexpensive, autonomous, one-way attack drones to adapt to evolving threats and reduce costs.
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Peter Brian Hegseth (born June 6, 1980) is an American government official and former television personality who has served since 2025 as the 29th United States secretary of defense.
Hegseth studied politics at Princeton University, where he was the publi