For the first time in history, the US has used “suicide” drones in combat, in the attack on Iran. The so-called one-way drones are packed with explosives and hit their target.
The US has also used precision-guided Tomahawk land-attack missiles launched from US Navy ships in the region, as well as strikes from various fighter jets, to hit hundreds of targets inside Iran, according to two US officials.
US Central Command has released photos showing Tomahawk missiles, F-18 and F-35 fighter jets, along with details from the strikes on Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury.
Suicide drones
The U.S. military said it used suicide drones that appear identical, based on photos released by the Pentagon, to the new LUCAS (Low Cost Unmanned Combat System) being built by Phoenix, Arizona-based Spektreworks. The company did not respond to requests for comment.
For the first time, CENTCOM has used single-track drones designed based on the Iranian Shahed drone, the Pentagon said.
The suicide drones are inexpensive and are intended to be produced by a variety of manufacturers, the Pentagon said.
The LUCAS cost about $35,000 each. Drones have become an increasingly important part of warfare as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has pushed the US and other countries towards a new strategy known as “affordable mass” – having lots of relatively cheap weapons on hand.
Tomahawk Missiles
The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile is a long-range cruise missile typically launched from the sea to attack targets in deep-sea missions. The precision-guided Tomahawk cruise missile can strike targets from 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) away, even in heavily defended airspace.
The missile is 6.1 meters (20 feet) long with an 8.5-foot wingspan and weighs approximately 1,510 kilograms (3,330 pounds).
Raytheon’s unit manufactures the Tomahawk missiles—which are non-nuclear—which can be launched from land or sea.
According to Pentagon budget figures, the US plans to buy 57 such missiles by 2026. Their average cost is $1.3 million each.
There is also an ongoing effort to spend millions on modifying and upgrading the weapons, including guidance systems.
A recent deal between Raytheon and the Pentagon aims to increase production of Tomahawk cruise missiles to 1,000 units per year.
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The U.S. and allied militaries have flight-tested the GPS-enabled Tomahawk missile and used it in an operational environment, including the U.S. and U.K. navies launching Tomahawk missiles at Houthi rebel positions in Yemen.
Fighter jets
U.S. Central Command has released photos and videos showing F/A-18 and F-35 fighter jets being used in strikes against Iran.
The F-35 is a fifth-generation stealth fighter capable of evading radar detection and carrying precision munitions.
The United States has deployed F-35s extensively throughout the Middle East. The F-18, made by Boeing (BA.N), opens new tab, is a multi-role fighter that can perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, carrying a variety of bombs and missiles.
The F-35 can carry a wide range of missiles, including those that can seek out and destroy radar installations to blind the enemy. The aircraft are also used by the Israeli Air Force.
