US Employs Iranian-Inspired Drones Against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps

US forces have launched an unprecedented military operation against Iran, employing Iranian-inspired kamikaze drones for the first time in combat during Operation Epic Fury. This significant maneuver targeted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), attacking command hubs, air defenses, missile and drone launch sites, as well as military airfields across Iran.

According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation utilized the Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) drones, marking a historic shift in tactics. “CENTCOM’s Task Force Scorpion Strike – for the first time in history – is using one-way attack drones in combat during Operation Epic Fury,” CENTCOM announced on social media. These drones, modeled after Iran’s Shahed-136 drones, are designed for one-way strikes and are capable of delivering American-made payloads.

The drones, produced by SpektreWorks in Arizona, are lighter and can be launched using a catapult or rocket-assisted takeoff, according to Defense News. Each unit costs approximately $35,000. The initial deployment of these drones occurred during a December 2023 drill involving the USS Santa Barbara in the Arabian Gulf.

In a rapid escalation, the US and Israel conducted airstrikes on Iranian positions, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. President Trump, confirming Khamenei’s death, referred to it as “justice.” He stated, “Khamenei, one of the most evil people in history, is dead. This is not only justice for the people of Iran, but for all great Americans, and those people from many countries throughout the world, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty thugs.”

The airstrikes reportedly killed over 40 top Iranian officials, including the commander of the IRGC, intensifying the conflict. In response, Iran launched retaliatory missiles and drones targeting US bases and facilities across multiple Middle Eastern countries, including Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Jordan, as well as Israeli sites.

US and Israeli officials have indicated that the military campaign in Iran could extend over the coming weeks, as tensions continue to escalate. This operation signifies not only a tactical shift for the US military but also a dramatic phase in the ongoing conflict with Iran, reflecting the complex geopolitical landscape of the region.