A warship does not have to sink to lose its ability to fight. Damage to its radar, communications equipment, or other critical systems can reduce its effectiveness and create an opening for an opposing force.
That possibility is part of the U.S. Army’s emerging vision for long-range attack drones such as the Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, or LUCAS.
Army commanders outlined how these weapons could support operations against maritime and land threats during the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual symposium in October.
The concept extends from the Pacific to Europe: use relatively inexpensive weapons in large numbers to disrupt enemy defenses, while preserving more sophisticated munitions for targets that require them.
What is the LUCAS attack drone?
LUCAS is a long-range, one-way attack drone reverse-engineered from Iran’s Shahed-136. The US military announced its initial fielding in December 2025, and the weapon made its combat debut during operations against Iran earlier in 2026.
It uses a combustion engine and a rear-mounted propeller. A small rocket booster helps launch it from a static launcher, which can be positioned on land or installed aboard a ship.
Its appeal centers on combining range with relatively low cost. Weapons in this category can provide commanders with more opportunities to strike distant targets without relying entirely on expensive cruise missiles.
The Army has also begun incorporating long-range, one-way attack operations into training at its Bayonet Academy at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. This includes maintaining the weapons, employing them, and coordinating their use to achieve a specific effect.
How could drones disable enemy warships?
In the Pacific, Army planning includes examining how these drones could help penetrate parts of an adversary’s anti-access and area-denial network. Such networks combine capabilities intended to prevent opposing forces from entering or operating within an area.
One approach involves damaging selected systems aboard a warship rather than attempting to sink the vessel.
Known as a mission kill, this could involve disabling radar or communications equipment. The ship might remain afloat, but its reduced combat effectiveness could leave it more vulnerable to subsequent attacks.
That disruption could create a temporary opportunity for a carrier strike group or bomber force to operate.
Army modeling has examined combining long-range attack drones with unmanned surface vessels and other launched systems. Coordinating these capabilities could help concentrate enough force to produce the required effect.
Where do land targets and swarming fit?
In Europe, commanders see long-range attack systems as a way to disrupt enemy defenses and counter missile forces. Potential targets include road-mobile launchers associated with Russia’s Iskander-M and the older Tochka ballistic missile systems.
Large numbers of relatively inexpensive drones can also force defenders to expend valuable interceptors, pressuring their air-defense inventories.
LUCAS is slated to gain swarming capabilities through Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software. The planned upgrade is intended to let multiple drones coordinate tasks and maneuver cooperatively.
However, the Army’s approach remains under development. Decisions about wider fielding, personnel training, and the formations needed to operate these weapons are still taking shape.