Indigo Industries

Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System

LUCAS

A family of affordable one-way attack drones developed by SpektreWorks. Indigo supports the program.

Indigo's role

How Indigo supports LUCAS

LUCAS was designed and built by SpektreWorks. Indigo supports the program.

The program

What LUCAS is

LUCAS is a family of one-way attack drones, also called loitering munitions, designed to give U.S. forces an affordable strike option that can be produced in large numbers. It was developed in response to the spread of inexpensive loitering munitions on modern battlefields, using American components, autonomy, and low-cost manufacturing such as additive manufacturing and composites.

Each aircraft costs a small fraction of a traditional cruise missile, so LUCAS can be fielded in numbers. It can be reconfigured for missions such as reconnaissance or maritime strike.

Developer
SpektreWorks
Type
Low-cost, one-way attack UAS
Indigo's role
Program support

Value

Why it matters

  1. 01

    The cost curve

    Defending against cheap drones with multi-million-dollar missiles is unsustainable. Low-cost systems put adversaries on the wrong side of that equation instead.

  2. 02

    Stockpile depth

    A mass-producible option supplements high-end munitions, so stockpiles hold up through a long conflict.

  3. 03

    Allied reach

    It gives allies a long-range strike capability that would otherwise be out of reach.

  4. 04

    Deterrence

    Large numbers of autonomous systems create a credible deterrent against peer adversaries.

Timeline

Milestones

  1. Aug 2024

    At T-REX 24-2

    Among the nearly 80 technologies at T-REX 24-2 at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.

    More
  2. Spring 2025

    Testing at Yuma

    Testing began at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

  3. Jul 2025

    Pentagon showcase

    Displayed in the Pentagon courtyard among prototypes that went from concept to development in about 18 months.

  4. Nov 2025

    First operational squadron

    U.S. Central Command activated the first LUCAS squadron under Task Force Scorpion Strike.

  5. Dec 2025

    First launch at sea

    Launched from the flight deck of USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) in the Arabian Gulf, the first time the U.S. Navy employed a one-way attack drone at sea in the Middle East.

Also supported by IndigoT-REX

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