The United States deployed a powerful mix of long-range cruise missiles, stealth aircraft, and low-cost one-way attack drones in strikes against Iranian targets on Saturday, marking one of the most technologically diverse combat operations in recent years.
According to United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the strikes were part of Operation Epic Fury, with images released showing Tomahawk cruise missiles in flight, as well as F/A-18 Hornet and F-35 Lightning II fighter jets conducting missions over the region.
For the first time in combat, the U.S. military also used low-cost one-way attack drones modeled after Iranian Shahed systems.
First Combat Use of LUCAS Kamikaze Drones
CENTCOM confirmed the use of suicide drones resembling the LUCAS (Low-Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System), manufactured by Arizona-based Spektreworks.
The Pentagon stated that these one-way attack drones were modeled after Iran’s Shahed drone design — a system widely used in regional conflicts.
Key details:
- Estimated cost: Approximately $35,000 per unit
- Designed for “affordable mass” deployment
- Intended for scalable production by multiple manufacturers
The concept of “affordable mass” has gained momentum following lessons from the Ukraine war, where inexpensive loitering munitions have reshaped modern battlefield economics.
The move signals a doctrinal shift: combining advanced high-cost systems with low-cost saturation tools to overwhelm defenses.
Tomahawk Cruise Missiles: Deep-Strike Precision
The operation also included the use of Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles.
Produced by Raytheon (RTX), the Tomahawk is a precision-guided cruise missile capable of striking targets up to 1,000 miles (1,600 km) away.
Technical overview:
- Length: 20 feet (6.1 meters)
- Wingspan: 8.5 feet
- Weight: ~3,330 pounds
- Average cost: $1.3 million per missile
- Non-nuclear configuration
Tomahawks can be launched from sea or land platforms and are designed for deep-strike missions in heavily defended airspace.
The U.S. plans to purchase 57 Tomahawks in 2026, while production capacity is expected to increase toward 1,000 missiles annually under recent Pentagon agreements.
These missiles have previously been used in operations including U.S. and UK strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
F-35 and F/A-18 Fighter Jets Lead Air Operations
Photographs released by CENTCOM show:
- F/A-18 Hornet multirole fighter jets
- F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation stealth aircraft
The F-35 Lightning II is designed to evade radar detection and deliver precision-guided munitions. It can also carry anti-radiation missiles capable of targeting and destroying enemy radar systems, effectively blinding air defenses.
The F/A-18 Hornet, manufactured by Boeing, is a versatile aircraft capable of both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, carrying a wide range of bombs and missiles.
The F-35 is also operated by the Israeli Air Force, underscoring the interoperability dimension of regional operations.
A Multi-Layered Strike Strategy
Operation Epic Fury reflects a layered strike doctrine combining:
- Long-range cruise missiles (Tomahawks)
- Stealth penetration aircraft (F-35)
- Multirole strike fighters (F/A-18)
- Low-cost one-way attack drones (LUCAS)
This blend of high-end precision weapons and scalable drone warfare illustrates how modern conflicts increasingly balance technological superiority with cost-efficient volume.
Strategic Significance
The use of both billion-dollar stealth jets and $35,000 kamikaze drones highlights the evolving nature of U.S. military strategy.
Key implications include:
- Greater emphasis on drone saturation
- Expanded use of stand-off strike capability
- Increased integration of affordable mass concepts
- Enhanced flexibility in targeting layered air defenses
As tensions with Iran intensify, Operation Epic Fury may represent a template for future U.S. strike campaigns: combining stealth, precision, and affordability into a single operational framework.
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