Israel Is Already Selling Kamikaze Micro-Drones That Will Change Modern Warfare

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15 points·jonbaer··6 comments

Technically I think these are closer to cruise missiles rather than drones. And there will no doubt be a market for a directional EMP gun which can knock out the electronics of a flying device as a counter measure. But frankly I feel it is only the fact that the military is pretty slow to pick up new tech in a low grade war situation that has prevented this from becoming much scarier.

They really aren't cruise missiles because they're remotely piloted. Properly painted these would be hard to spot, and I bet they have a targeting mode where the engine switches off to minimize noise.

I wonder how much they cost per copy, that's one thing that will limit uptake.

It's got to be cheaper than the USD $246,000 Javalin, which is often used against non-armored targets, like trucks and buildings.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FGM-148_Javelin

It's like a miniature version of the "missile in a box" from the future combat system

http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/cheap-fast-deadly-the-ne...

This seems to have the ability to loiter for 30 minutes and find targets. I think cruise missiles just head to their targets in an autonomous manner.

Anyone have any insight into the crazy wing arrangement? It seems it would add extra weight and drag for no benefit...

The Switchblade seems to be a much more logical design:

https://www.avinc.com/uas/adc/switchblade/

I am getting uneasy imagining swarms of these flying through the sky.

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