Why is the US military focusing on having low-cost, disposable drones in its inventory?
A Marine pilots a drone target. (Photo: USMC)
Diverse acquisition and development efforts across the US Department of Defence (DoD) have been focusing on the benefits cheap uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer.
Aware of the tactical and operational advantages cheap, disposable UAVs can provide, the Pentagon and its services and agencies have been conducting multiple programmes to acquire, develop and improve this type of capability.
Also known as loitering munition, suicide, kamikaze, exploding and one-way attack drones, those systems offer faster response, precise targeting and lower collateral damage. Moreover, it enables destroying multi-million dollar enemy assets at a lower cost.
The focus on cheap drones represents a shift in the US military’s posture as the DoD has traditionally relied on expensive, high-technology UAVs. Its approach has changed due to lessons learned from
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