Did US just cloned Iranian Shahed? All about LUCAS, America's 'cheap and deadly' kamikaze drone
Unveiled on July 16, 2025, at the Pentagon, the drone—LUCAS, or Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System—has been developed by Arizona-based defense contractor
SpektreWorks
. It is designed to provide a scalable and affordable option for tactical drone warfare, much like the Shaheds that have allowed Moscow to wage relentless air campaigns since late 2022.
Explore courses from Top Institutes in
Select a Course Category
CXO
Degree
Operations Management
Product Management
Management
Healthcare
Data Science
PGDM
Others
Artificial Intelligence
others
Data Science
Cybersecurity
MCA
MBA
Leadership
Design Thinking
Digital Marketing
Data Analytics
Public Policy
Project Management
healthcare
Technology
Finance
Skills you'll gain:
Technology Strategy & Innovation
Emerging Technologies & Digital Transformation
Leadership in Technology Management
Cybersecurity & Risk Management
Duration:
24 Weeks
Indian School of Business
ISB Chief Technology Officer
Starts on
Jun 28, 2024
Get Details
Skills you'll gain:
Operations Strategy for Business Excellence
Organizational Transformation
Corporate Communication & Crisis Management
Capstone Project Presentation
Duration:
11 Months
IIM Lucknow
Chief Operations Officer Programme
Starts on
Jun 30, 2024
Get Details
Skills you'll gain:
Customer-Centricity & Brand Strategy
Product Marketing, Distribution, & Analytics
Digital Strategies & Innovation Skills
Leadership Insights & AI Integration Expertise
Duration:
10 Months
IIM Kozhikode
IIMK Chief Marketing and Growth Officer
Starts on
Apr 7, 2024
Get Details
Skills you'll gain:
Digital Strategy Development Expertise
Emerging Technologies & Digital Trends
Data-driven Decision Making
Leadership in the Digital Age
Duration:
40 Weeks
Indian School of Business
ISB Chief Digital Officer
Starts on
Jun 30, 2024
Get Details
All about LUCAS drone
LUCAS reportedly features a modular, open architecture that supports a range of mission types including strike, reconnaissance, and communications support. Its design allows for quick payload swaps and multiple launch options, such as rocket-assisted takeoff (RATO) or deployment from military vehicles.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
No annual fees for life
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
— clashreport (@clashreport)
It can function either as a target drone or a combat UAV, and is built to be operated by non-specialized personnel, giving it a logistical advantage in fast-moving conflict zones.
Live Events
The drone supports autonomous collaborative missions and is compatible with the Multi-Domain Unmanned System Communication (MUSIC) network. This allows it to act as a communication relay, enhancing secure interoperability between US forces and allies in contested environments.
According to Defence Security Asia, the drones weighing under 600 kg and are capable of operating at medium altitudes and extended ranges. Reportedly, it's price may fall to about USD 100,000, making it an economically viable platform to be fielded en masse.
Interestingly, many on social media platform X said that the
LUCAS drone
looks identical to the Iranian drone.
"Designed by a US defense startup, it's virtually identical to Iran's 'Shahed 136' and Russia's 'Geran-2' UAVs," RT.com said in a post.
The unveiling comes amid Russia's intensifying use of Shahed-type drones to bombard Ukrainian infrastructure and military targets. In response, Ukraine has stepped up its efforts to produce and deploy interceptor drones, with President Volodymyr Zelensky's office confirming on June 21 that the country is rapidly expanding production of its own UAV defense systems.
According to internal Ukrainian estimates seen by Reuters, drones accounted for 69% of strikes on Russian troops and 75% of strikes on vehicles and equipment in 2024.
Kyiv's planned production this year of 30,000 long-range UAVs, designed to attack targets deep inside Russia such as arms depots and energy facilities.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
20 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Andhra Pradesh will be the best bet for investors from UAE, CM Chandrababu Naidu gives assurance
VIJAYAWADA Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu requested Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy & Tourism, UAE, to explore the investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh (A.P.) especially in seaports, logistics, agriculture, shipbuilding, digital technologies, renewable energy and tourism sectors, while promising to extend all possible support to those coming forward to partner with the State in its development journey. 'I invite you to spend 25% of your time in our State and see our functioning. If you are not confident of our ability to deliver on our promises, you can leave us', Mr. Naidu told Mr. Al Marri, seeking to impress upon him the effectiveness of A.P. Government's hand-holding to investors. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu leading a high-level team to Singapore from July 26 Participating as the chief guest at an investor meet jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Investopia, a UAE-based global investment platform, in Vijayawada on Wednesday (July 23, 2024), Mr. Naidu said the A.P. Government was committed to giving time-bound clearances to proposals put forth by entrepreneurs and the State was transitioning from Ease to Speed of Doing Business, and the CMO was directly monitoring the status of projects. He noted that Andhra Pradesh was rich in agriculture and water resources, was endowed with a 1,053 km-long coastline, it has a string of seaports and upcoming airports and skilled human resources, well-established rail and road networks and multiple other advantages beckoning investors. Naidu releases report of Task Force on Economic Development for Swarna Andhra Pradesh 'The UAE Government and entrepreneurs should see for themselves the opportunities and they can be assured of all full support. The A.P. Government introduced 15 sector-specific policies and was offering a slew of incentives to those putting their money in the State,' the CM mentioned. Mr. Naidu said the A.P.-UAE bilateral trade last year amounted to $1.45 billion (approximately ₹12,500 crore) and there was tremendous scope for increasing it as the State moved forward in alignment with the goals laid down by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his vision of Viksit Bharat. He said a British company came forward to set up a green ammonia plant in Krishnapatnam, DP World evinced interest in working with the A.P. Government in the development of the maritime sector and many other prospective investors were in touch with the State, reiterating that A.P. would be the best bet for investors from the UAE. Andhra Pradesh Industries & Commerce Minister T.G. Bharat, A.P. Government Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand, LuLu International CMD M.A. Yousuff Ali, Investopia CEO Jean Fares and CII President Designate R. Mukundan spoke in the inaugural session. Later, the A.P. Government and Investopia announced the signing of an MoU for collaboration in promoting investments. A.P. Economic Development Board CEO C.M. Saikanth Varma and Mr. Fares exchanged copies of the agreement.
Mint
20 minutes ago
- Mint
Akash Alankar's Budbee is set to disrupt the AV and electronics market in India
Have you always dreamt of setting up a state-of-the-art home theatre, but put those plans aside because the AV equipment seemed prohibitively expensive? Did you make-do with what you thought were more pocket-friendly alternatives? What if, you could fulfil your dream and not have to skimp on getting the best gadgets for it? Well, a new marketplace that focuses on providing high-quality audio-visual and electronic products is the answer. Founded by Akash Alankar, is described as India's first premium certified AV and electronic marketplace; providing high-quality audio-visual and electronic products and catering to a niche market that values certified, premium goods. The platform, which launches officially on October 1, 2025, aims to offer a curated selection of premium AV and electronic products, leveraging the expertise of its partners in media, entertainment, and technology to ensure quality and market reach. Budbee's core offering includes certified pre-owned and new global AV products (home audio, soundbars, speakers), from brands such as Polk, Denon, Marantz, KEF, B&W, Arcam, among many others. The advantage of a Budbee buy is that the user gets never-before-used products at up to 50% lower prices, full warranty and verified authenticity, as the sales model connects the consumer directly with the brand, bypassing distributor-retailer chains. From young urban professionals who'd be willing to invest in entry-level products of ₹ 25,000 to ₹ 60,000 to audiophiles and lifestyle buyers with slightly bigger budgets extending to about ₹ 1.2 lakh and high-net individuals and home theatre owners willing to splurge a few lakhs, there's something for everyone at has also forged strategic tie-ups with laptop giants Acer, Dell, and Lenovo. It is projected to generate ₹ 100 crore in revenue and reach over 1 billion users in its first quarter, with an ambitious target to hit ₹ 500 crore in the next two years. An online marketplace with pan-India delivery facilities, Budbee aims to have physical stores across major cities of the country shortly. Akash's venture has been backed by Alankar Pandian of Invenio Origin, Venkat K Narayana of KVN Productions and Rishikesh SR, co-founder of the ride-hailing platform Rapido. Alankar brings expertise in media and sound technology to the venture. His involvement likely focuses on strategic partnerships, branding, and leveraging his network to enhance the platform's visibility and credibility. Alankar's more recent strategic alliances include those with Innovative Group, as well as with the founders of the South Indian International Film Awards (SIIMA) and Celebrity Cricket League (CCL). Venkat K Narayana's KVN Productions is a Bengaluru-based film production and distribution company known for its work in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam cinema, which has two of the most widely anticipated films – Rocking Star Yash's Toxic and Thalapathy Vijay's Jana Nayagan – in production under the banner. KVN's involvement in extends its portfolio beyond filmmaking into e-commerce, aligning with its mission to embrace innovative strategies and broaden market reach. The company's distribution expertise likely aids in logistics, marketing, and expanding presence across India. Rishikesh SR brings additional financial and strategic support to the venture, potentially contributing to its technological and logistical infrastructure. This Diwali, let open your eyes to a smarter shopping era, powered by collaborations with all major AV and laptop brands. Visit for pan-India fast delivery and join a revolution that's rewriting the rules of the Indian tech and AV market. Contact: info@ Website: Note to readers: This article is part of Mint's paid consumer connect Initiative. Mint assumes no editorial involvement or responsibility for errors, omissions, or content accuracy. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
20 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Confused about Aadhaar for rent agreements? Here's what the law says
Many tenants and landlords are puzzled over the requirement of Aadhaar in rent agreements. While some say they were asked for it during registration, others insist they completed the process using other ID proofs. This confusion reflects the gap between legal provisions and on-ground practices in different states. Experts point out that Aadhaar is not legally mandatory for rent agreements. Instead, landlords and sub-registrars often accept alternative documents such as passports, voter ID or PAN cards. Concerns about data privacy and fraud have also made some wary of relying on Aadhaar alone. Here's what legal professionals say about why Aadhaar isn't always used and which identity proofs are safer to avoid complications. No law makes Aadhaar compulsory 'There is no law that makes Aadhaar mandatory for rent agreements. The Supreme Court has ruled that it is not a mandatory form of identification and has limited its mandatory use to certain government schemes only,' explained Apeksha Lodha, partner, Singhania & Co. Keyur Gandhi, managing partner at Gandhi Law Associates, added, 'Neither the Registration Act, 1908, nor any specific state rules mandate Aadhaar as a compulsory identity proof for property transactions. The UIDAI itself has consistently maintained that Aadhaar is voluntary.' Fraud fears and why Aadhaar is avoided Fake Aadhaar cards and privacy concerns have led landlords and registrars to prefer other IDs. 'Fake Aadhaar cards have been used for renting or selling property, so landlords often prefer documents like passports or PAN, which seem more traditional for identity verification,' Lodha said. Ashutosh Srivastava, partner at SKV Law Offices, cited a Karnataka High Court case where a forged Aadhaar card was used to transfer land. 'Refusals usually trace back to verification anxiety, not an official bar on the document,' he explained. Privacy risks and public data exposure Aadhaar's sensitive biometric data has raised fears of misuse. 'If this data is leaked, it can be used to open bank accounts, obtain SIM cards and claim government benefits,' Lodha noted. Ritha Ulbyre, partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, noted that in registered agreements, Aadhaar details may become part of public records. 'Several instances of financial fraud have been reported in different states after registering documents using Aadhaar-based authentication,' she said. Which documents are safer? To avoid complications, experts recommend using other government IDs. 'PAN card, voter ID, passport, or driving licence are widely accepted and don't pose the same privacy or compliance risks as Aadhaar,' Gandhi suggested. Srivastava advised, 'Provide a combination of IDs for added security, and if Aadhaar is used, mask sensitive details to minimise misuse.'
