US copies Iran Shahed drone design. Every Nation Wants to Copy Iran's Deadly Shahed Drone. The HESA Shahed 136 also known by its Russian designation Geran-2.
US copies Iran Shahed drone design
The United States has developed at least two copies of the Iranian Shahed-136 drone design, primarily for use as target drones to simulate and train against this proliferating threat.These American versions, known as the MQM-172 Arrowhead and LUCAS (Low-Cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System), replicate the Shahed-136's form, fit, and function, including its distinctive triangular delta wing shape, size, and long-range attack capabilities, but are mainly intended for training and threat emulation rather than frontline combat use.
Launch options include mobile truck-mounted catapults and rocket-assisted take-off systems. While exact performance data such as speed and range are not officially released, industry estimates suggest speeds around 180-200 km/h, endurance between 6 to 12 hours, and a range that could reach up to 2,000 km.
Interestingly, the U.S.—historically a pioneer of advanced military technology—has now turned to copying Iranian drone designs to address the growing threat posed by low-cost, long-range kamikaze drones. This role reversal underscores the Shahed-136’s impact on modern warfare dynamics.
The drone market, driven by rapid technological advances and expanding military requirements, is forecast to reach $17 billion by 2028, reflecting the importance of unmanned systems like the Shahed-136 in contemporary and future conflicts. The U.S. copies signal a strategic adaptation as countries worldwide race to build cheap drones modeled on Iranian designs to match evolving battlefield requirements.
This development highlights the U.S. military’s recognition of the Shahed’s blend of affordability, endurance, and effectiveness, prompting efforts to mimic and counter one of the world’s most widely recognized loitering munitions.
MQM-172 Arrowhead Details
The MQM-172 Arrowhead is a modular and versatile drone unveiled by Alabama-based Griffon Aerospace. Designed to be both a reusable high-performance aerial target and a one-way kamikaze strike asset, the Arrowhead mirrors the Iranian Shahed-136's compact delta wing and twin winglets.It can carry a modular payload of up to 100 pounds (45 kg), allowing for sensor packages, electronic warfare modules, or explosive warheads depending on mission requirements.
The drone is powered by a small four-cylinder air-cooled piston engine similar to the Shahed’s and uses autonomous GPS and inertial navigation systems.
Launch options include mobile truck-mounted catapults and rocket-assisted take-off systems. While exact performance data such as speed and range are not officially released, industry estimates suggest speeds around 180-200 km/h, endurance between 6 to 12 hours, and a range that could reach up to 2,000 km.
This drone was developed, tested, and manufactured entirely in the U.S. drawing on Griffon's experience producing thousands of unmanned systems. Its low cost, design simplicity, and adaptability make it a valuable training tool for the U.S. military and allied forces to realistically simulate and counter Shahed-like drone threats.
LUCAS System
Developed by SpektreWorks in Arizona, LUCAS is a lower-cost drone also reverse-engineered from the Shahed-136. It is marketed as an affordable and adaptable platform designed to emulate the threat for training and operational purposes, especially tailored for Indo-Pacific region needs.LUCAS aims to offer mission versatility with a broad payload capacity and multiple launch options. It features a service ceiling of approximately 15,000 feet and up to 6 hours of endurance with a wingspan of about 8.2 feet.
Origins and Role Reversal
The original Shahed-136 is an Iranian loitering munition derived as a reverse-engineered copy of an Israeli drone design, itself based on a German model from the 1980s. This cheap and effective kamikaze drone gained prominence through extensive use by Russia in the Ukraine conflict, where it is designated Geran-2, showcasing significant battlefield success.Interestingly, the U.S.—historically a pioneer of advanced military technology—has now turned to copying Iranian drone designs to address the growing threat posed by low-cost, long-range kamikaze drones. This role reversal underscores the Shahed-136’s impact on modern warfare dynamics.
The MQM-172 Arrowhead and LUCAS are used in training to enhance counter-drone tactics, improve detection and interception techniques, and prepare forces for real-world scenarios involving Shahed-like threats.
Strategic Implications
By producing credible Shahed-136 replicas domestically, the U.S. military can refine defenses against these drones and potentially integrate similar systems into their own arsenals for asymmetric warfare roles. The drones’ modular design, payload capacity, and relatively simple maintenance and operation make them cost-effective tools for both defense training and tactical use.The drone market, driven by rapid technological advances and expanding military requirements, is forecast to reach $17 billion by 2028, reflecting the importance of unmanned systems like the Shahed-136 in contemporary and future conflicts. The U.S. copies signal a strategic adaptation as countries worldwide race to build cheap drones modeled on Iranian designs to match evolving battlefield requirements.
This development highlights the U.S. military’s recognition of the Shahed’s blend of affordability, endurance, and effectiveness, prompting efforts to mimic and counter one of the world’s most widely recognized loitering munitions.
