US military says used 'low-cost one-way' drones for first time in Iran attack

The US military said Saturday that it has been using single-use drones to attack Iran for the first time in combat, signaling adoption by the world's wealthiest military of a technology already surging to prominence in the Ukraine-Russia war.

"Task Force Scorpion Strike employed low-cost one-way attack drones for the first time in combat," US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement posted on X.

CENTCOM said the drones, which are expendable but cheaper than traditional missiles, had been based on Iran's own technology.

"These low-cost drones, modeled after Iran's Shahed drones, are now delivering American-made retribution," the statement said, referring to the Shaheds -- a weapon heavily exported from Iran to Russia for use against Ukraine.

Drone technology in Ukraine has transformed warfare, with both sides in the conflict using the flying explosives to minimize the need for frontline troops, while leaving enemy soldiers few places to hide.