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Online rangerrebew

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LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« on: May 31, 2026, 09:29:55 am »
LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
Story by Harrison Kass • 6d

A new software upgrade for the LUCAS drone could allow multiple of the drones to “swarm” together—but the Pentagon likely has even bigger plans for the system.
The LUCAS (Low-Cost Unscrewed Combat Attack System) drone is getting a major upgrade: Shield AI’s “Hivemind” autonomy software.
 

While this story sounds like another AI announcement or drone software upgrade, the report suggests further evidence of the military shifting from small numbers of expensive weapons to large numbers of cheap systems all operating together. And while the military already has large numbers of drones, they now appear to be trying to create drone systems that can coordinate with one another intelligently—and conduct “swarm” attacks against weakly defended targets, overrunning whatever air defenses are protecting them.

Upgrading the LUCAS Drone
LUCAS is a long-range one-way attack drone, essentially an expendable loitering munition or kamikaze drone. A clone of Iran’s Shahed-136 drone, the LUCAS first made its debut as a low-cost supplement to more advanced US missiles in Operation Epic Fury.

At a cost of just $35,000 per unit, the LUCAS costs about as much as a new car—far cheaper than the $2 million Tomahawk missile or $3 million Patriot interceptor. Designed around the concept of affordable mass, the LUCAS drones can be used to strike radar sites or infrastructure, saturate air defenses, and ultimately, preserve expensive missile inventories.

LUCAS has already been used operationally. During the opening strikes of Epic Fury, LUCAS drones were used extensively against targets inside Iran, and CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper described the system as indispensable. The math checks out. Instead of firing expensive cruise missiles, the military can instead use large numbers of low-cost drones, which helps preserve magazine depth. As Epic Fury highlights, expensive missiles are finite and hard to replace rapidly, while drones are easier, cheaper, and faster to manufacture.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/lucas-drone-swarms-could-be-the-us-military-s-next-big-weapon/ar-AA23XDhV?ocid=BingNewsSerp
« Last Edit: May 31, 2026, 09:30:50 am by rangerrebew »
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Offline Hoodat

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Re: LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« Reply #1 on: May 31, 2026, 09:47:31 am »
The US taking it's cue from Ukraine.  It will take years to catch up.
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Offline BobfromWB

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Re: LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« Reply #2 on: May 31, 2026, 11:02:28 am »
Quote from: Hoodat on May 31, 2026, 09:47:31 am
The US taking it's cue from Ukraine.  It will take years to catch up.

Sort of. The US could buy from Ukraine and get the latest and greatest battle tested drones for 1/14th the cost, but their President embarrassed 47 & His Pit Bull by not wearing a suit and tie. So the US will stick with the more expensive & untested drones, which will likely fall victim to ECM battlefield conditions.
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Online Cyber Liberty

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Re: LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« Reply #3 on: May 31, 2026, 01:18:07 pm »
Quote from: BobfromWB on May 31, 2026, 11:02:28 am
Sort of. The US could buy from Ukraine and get the latest and greatest battle tested drones for 1/14th the cost, but their President embarrassed 47 & His Pit Bull by not wearing a suit and tie. So the US will stick with the more expensive & untested drones, which will likely fall victim to ECM battlefield conditions.

Oh, BS.  Both countries will do what's best for themselves, despite your personal opinion of Trump's state of mind.
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Re: LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« Reply #4 on: May 31, 2026, 02:15:30 pm »
Quote from: rustynail on May 31, 2026, 01:20:57 pm
LUCAS?  Hope it is better than the electrical system in my former MG.

Lucas Oil Stadium?
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Online Timber Rattler

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Re: LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2026, 02:31:06 pm »
Quote from: Cyber Liberty on May 31, 2026, 01:18:07 pm
Oh, BS.  Both countries will do what's best for themselves, despite your personal opinion of Trump's state of mind.

So what exactly is Trump's state of mind these days?   :threadjack:
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Re: LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2026, 02:46:20 pm »
Quote from: Timber Rattler on May 31, 2026, 02:31:06 pm
So what exactly is Trump's state of mind these days?   :threadjack:

Don't ask me, ask the chap trying to jack the threa (although I wouldn't say he's jacking it with his personal opinion.  This is TBR).
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Re: LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2026, 02:49:47 pm »
Quote from: Cyber Liberty on May 31, 2026, 02:46:20 pm
Don't ask me, ask the chap trying to jack the threa (although I wouldn't say he's jacking it with his personal opinion.  This is TBR).

I would say that you're doing a pretty good job of hijacking the thread yourself with your cheap shot.
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Re: LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2026, 03:19:31 pm »
Quote from: Timber Rattler on May 31, 2026, 02:49:47 pm
I would say that you're doing a pretty good job of hijacking the thread yourself with your cheap shot.

Sorry, I call 'em as I see 'em.  It's the agreement I made with the boss lady.  The closest thing I see to thread-jacking is you trying to stir up shit between Bob and me.  Please knock it off.
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Re: LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2026, 03:25:59 pm »
Quote from: Cyber Liberty on May 31, 2026, 03:19:31 pm
Sorry, I call 'em as I see 'em.  It's the agreement I made with the boss lady.  The closest thing I see to thread-jacking is you trying to stir up shit between Bob and me.  Please knock it off.

I think you need to take that plank out of your eye, amigo.  You're not getting away with anymore cheap shots against Bob.  Don't like it, then YOU take it up with the boss lady.
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Offline Hoodat

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Re: LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2026, 03:33:10 pm »
Quote from: BobfromWB on May 31, 2026, 11:02:28 am
Sort of. The US could buy from Ukraine and get the latest and greatest battle tested drones for 1/14th the cost, but their President embarrassed 47 & His Pit Bull by not wearing a suit and tie. So the US will stick with the more expensive & untested drones, which will likely fall victim to ECM battlefield conditions.

The story indicates that the US is finally moving in a different direction.  Especially after the latest statement by Secretary Hegseth.

The bottom line is that Ukraine has received far more military support under Trump than it ever did under Biden.  And at a fraction of the cost.  Sure, Trump has made a lot of stupid comments regarding Ukraine.  But I have learned to look at what he does and not at what he says.  And the Ukraine today is far more formidable than the Ukraine of two years ago.  And all without billions of graft money channeled into USAID.

Could Trump have done more?  Absolutely.  But with the growing pains that Ukraine was forced to go through, they now have the best drone army in the world, and have made a mockery of Soviet air defenses.
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Re: LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2026, 04:12:43 pm »
Quote from: Timber Rattler on May 31, 2026, 03:25:59 pm
I think you need to take that plank out of your eye, amigo.  You're not getting away with anymore cheap shots against Bob.  Don't like it, then YOU take it up with the boss lady.

Take your butt hurt up with someone who cares.  God you are a ucking asshole.  Bitch, Moan.  Why are you here? 
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Re: LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« Reply #12 on: May 31, 2026, 04:15:12 pm »
Quote from: Wingnut on May 31, 2026, 04:12:43 pm
Take your butt hurt up with someone who cares.  God you are a ucking asshole.  Bitch, Moan.  Why are you here?

I think you need to STFU too, pr*ck.
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Online mystery-ak

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Re: LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« Reply #13 on: May 31, 2026, 04:26:24 pm »
Come on guys...this arguing just ruins a thread...please stop!
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Re: LUCAS drone swarms could be the US military’s next big weapon
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2026, 05:34:24 am »
Only one comment partially addressing the disparity between US drones and Ukrainian drones. No one mentions Eric Trump's single bidder drone contract.
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