Why the US is Deploying Inexpensive Iranian Drones Against Iran: An Analysis

The Shahed-136 drone, a cost-effective attack drone developed by Iran’s Shahed Aviation Industries, is now being deployed against advanced U.S. military technologies. Despite the U.S. military’s reliance on high-tech weaponry, why are they countering this drone powered by a motorcycle engine?

Measuring 2.6 meters in length, the Shahed-136 can carry a payload of 15 kilograms over approximately 2,500 kilometers. It achieves a speed of around 185 km/h, which is significantly slower than conventional cruise missiles or bomb-laden aircraft, yet its price point is notably low—approximately $50,000 each.

Currently, hundreds of Shahed drones are utilized by Russia in its offensive operations against Ukraine. Countering them necessitates a comprehensive air defense strategy, incorporating fighter jets, ground-based missiles, and interceptor drones. These drones are also employed by various groups, including Houthi forces in Yemen.

In recent conflicts, Iran has deployed Shahed drones as part of their military response against U.S. and Israeli forces. In an interesting twist, the U.S. military introduced the Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS), a product made by Arizona-based Speckleworks. This system is a reverse-engineered version of the Shahed-136, illustrating how Iran’s design is now weaponized against them.

LUCAS is versatile and can be enhanced with reconnaissance gear or warheads for ground strikes. The FLM136 is reportedly named as a homage to the Shahed 136 from which it was inspired.

The U.S. military’s reverse-engineering of the Shahed-136 followed the capture of Iranian-backed militia units in Iraq and Syria. A test launch from a U.S. Navy ship was successfully carried out last year.

Professor Anthony King from the University of Exeter posits that inexpensive attack drones like the Shahed serve as a form of “graffiti bug,” reminiscent of Nazi Germany’s V-1 flying bombs used during World War II.

These economical devices can be mass-produced and deployed in large quantities, overwhelming enemy defenses until they crumble, or diverting significant assets and rendering prolonged combat infeasible. This strategic approach leaves opponents vulnerable to subsequent offensives.

“We are intercepting them with weapons that are significantly more expensive than Shahed, and often the targets of these attacks are cheaper than the defenses we employ,” stated King. “This dynamic transforms the economic landscape of warfare in fascinating ways.”

Interestingly, it has been suggested that Iran may have drawn inspiration from a Cold War-era project, where Germany and the United States collaborated to create a device aimed at neutralizing Soviet radar systems, referred to as the Dornier Die Drone Anti-Radar.

Ian Muirhead, a professor at Manchester University and a former military member, suggests that while Shahed drones will not replace advanced drones or manned aircraft, they are increasingly making an appearance in warfare. Western military forces are now recognizing the effectiveness of such weaponry, inspired by lessons from the Ukraine conflict.

“Complex and costly modern weaponry can prove inefficient in extensive conflicts, particularly when resources are stretched thin,” Muirhead remarked. “Deploying thousands of inexpensive drones can swiftly overwhelm defenses using unfriendly firepower.”

“It’s purely an economic discussion. If defense costs exceed attack costs, the balance of power shifts,” Muirhead concluded.