Air-defence systems are making it increasingly risky to use traditional aircraft to attack tactical ground targets. Five-tonne, $ 20+ million return-ticket drones with sensors and guided ordnance are now well established (at least in low-intensity conflicts), but will remain numerically restricted. The long-endurance, low-observable, one-way loiter-attack drone offers a smaller low-cost complement, combining wide coverage with rapid response, precision and long range. Ground-launched, it hands control of airborne fire support back to the army.
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