U.S.–Iran war drone attack
On February 28 2026 the United States and Israel launched a multi‑weapon attack on Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury, employing Tomahawk missiles, stealth fighters and one‑way attack drones. The U.S. military confirmed that it used suicide drones resembling the new Low‑Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) produced by Phoenix‑based Spektreworks. For the first time in combat, CENTCOM deployed one‑way attack drones modeled after Iran’s Shahed design, signalling a shift toward inexpensive “affordable‑mass” weapons. Moreover, Pentagon photos showed Tomahawk missiles, F‑18 and F‑35 jets involved in the strikes, and officials highlighted that LUCAS drones cost about US $35,000 each. Consequently, analysts note that including kamikaze drones alongside conventional missiles marks an escalation in drone warfare and could shape future U.S. strategy.
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Commercial expansion (U.S.)
Drone operating system developer XTEND of Israel and Florida‑based JFB Construction agreed to merge in late February 2026, forming XTEND AI Robotics and valuing the all‑stock deal at about US$1.5 billion. Rather than pursuing an IPO, the companies attracted US$152 million in backing from investors including Unusual Machines, Protego Ventures and Eric Trump. The merged firm will specialize in remote‑operated autonomous systems for defense, public safety and security and plans to list on Nasdaq. Moreover, the transaction aims to scale NDAA‑compliant manufacturing at XTEND’s Tampa facility and accelerate delivery of systems to customers in the U.S., NATO and Asia. Therefore, industry analysts view the merger as a major expansion of drone‑as‑a‑service capabilities and a pathway for XTEND to become a leading U.S. provider of AI‑driven drones.
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