image sourced from original article at The United States has developed new kamikaze drones by reverse engineering Iran’s Shahed-136 unmanned aerial vehicle, highlighting efforts to rapidly strengthen its combat drone capabilities. The initiative was launched last year with the creation of a dedicated squadron focused on quickly equipping service members with evolving unmanned systems.
The move reflects Washington’s attempt to address capability gaps that became evident after Russia and Iran used suicide drones extensively in conflicts such as the war in Ukraine. Despite its reputation as a global technology leader, the United States has turned to adapting adversary technology to accelerate its own drone development.
The newly developed drones could potentially be deployed in future conflicts, including against Iran, signaling a shift in how the United States responds to emerging battlefield technologies.
