Pentagon's New Drone Mirrors Iranian Tech: What to Know

In a significant development in military technology, the U.S. recently unveiled the MQM-172, a direct and sophisticated response to the Iranian Shahed-136 drone, which Russia has been widely using to target sites in Ukraine.

International defense experts were the first to share images of the new drone, which closely resembles the Iranian Shahed-136 in its design. The MQM-172 is revealed to be an upgraded version of the original, developed with the Shahed-136 as a reference and inspiration. The clear objective: to create a powerful American counterpart that offers similar, if not superior, capabilities, though its full specifications remain classified.

The MQM-172 development is part of a broader trend in the U.S. to develop low-cost combat drones that provide an effective response to existing threats while strengthening its air power. As part of this effort, the U.S. has previously showcased several drones designed to offer solutions.

U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, even reviewed the LUCAS drone (another model) during a demonstration of multi-domain autonomous systems.

The LUCAS, developed by Arizona-based SpektreWorks, is designed as a cost-effective, customizable platform, particularly intended for operations in the Indo-Pacific region. It is a reliable and economical tool capable of operating in challenging environments with minimal logistical support. Thanks to its open architecture, the LUCAS can carry a wide range of mission-specific payloads, allowing it to perform reconnaissance, strike, and communication tasks.

The unveiling of the "head of the spear" and the ongoing development of drones like the LUCAS stem, in part, from the U.S.'s urgent need to remain at the cutting edge of technological advancements and maintain air superiority, particularly in the Middle East.