Communications drones could supplement satellite links at sea, especially when a force needs command connections below orbital altitude. A functioning relay will radiate heavily, making it resemble an airborne command node that anti-radiation weapons can target. Wartime use therefore requires self-protection and another relay ready to take over if the first drone must stop transmitting. Extending communications creates a survivability and redundancy problem alongside the added reach.
Notable Point · 1:59:13-2:01:53
Communications drones create their own protection problem
Communications drones can extend command links, but their transmissions also make them visible targets that need wartime protection.