Q&A ยท 1:26:16-1:27:49

One-way attack drones aboard littoral combat ships

A question about launching Shahed-like drones from an LCS tests how cheap one-way weapons complement rather than replace cruise missiles.

Question

How much would one-way attack drones raise the value of an LCS, and what share of Tomahawk strikes could they replace?

Short answer

They would broaden the LCS's affordable target set, but they would not replace Tomahawk missions that demand a larger warhead or much longer range.

Notes

A 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.