A drone able to evade layered defences needs speed, sensors, processing power, and the energy to support them. Adding those capabilities increases both size and cost. Remote control can move the computation to a satellite-linked data centre, although this creates dependence on communications and ground infrastructure. Burying a command centre does not remove the vulnerability of satellite links and ground stations. Every added connection gives an opponent another place to interrupt the kill chain.
Chapter · 41:08-43:21
Smarter drones create larger systems or fragile kill chains
Adding speed, autonomy, sensors, and evasive behaviour makes a drone larger and costlier, while moving those functions ashore creates vulnerable communications links.