How much would one-way attack drones raise the value of an LCS, and what share of Tomahawk strikes could they replace?
Short answerThey would broaden the LCS's affordable target set, but they would not replace Tomahawk missions that demand a larger warhead or much longer range.
NotesA low-cost one-way attack drone would not substitute for Tomahawk when the mission requires Tomahawk's range or warhead. Its value is economic: cheaper weapons let a ship engage targets that would not justify an expensive cruise missile. Even a small infantry position could become worth engaging at the lower cost. Cheap drone carriage would broaden the affordable target set while leaving missions that require Tomahawk's range or warhead to weapons with those capabilities.