APRIL 8, 2026 – In an unprecedented demonstration of rapid innovation, the Indiana National Guard hosted the Technology and Readiness Experimentation, or T-REX, framework that was instrumental in advancing the Low-cost Uncrewed Combat Attack System, or LUCAS, from a public demonstration to operational employment in seven months.
This achievement directly answers the call from national leadership to accelerate the delivery of critical capabilities to the Joint Force.
In July 2025, the Department of War publicly demonstrated LUCAS in the Pentagon courtyard as a clear signal of its intent to field affordable, autonomous capabilities.
By February, that same system was operationally employed during Operation Epic Fury, a timeline that shattered traditional defense acquisition models.
This rapid transition from concept to combat employment was made possible by the “speed of relevance” methodology at the heart of the T-REX program.
The T-REX framework, championed by the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering, fosters an environment of intense collaboration between operators, engineers and acquisition professionals.
The LUCAS achievement serves as a powerful new model for defense innovation, showcasing how the Indiana National Guard and its partners are turning vision into reality.
By Indiana National Guard