A drone proposed for the same task as a long-range missile must first reach the target area. Matching that missile's distance and threat raises the drone's cost. Calling the weapon a drone leaves those performance demands intact. The increasing cost of capable missiles also helps explain why alternatives have appeared to challenge or supplement them.
Notable Point · 3:05:20-3:06:04
Why long-range drones do not necessarily stay cheap
Matching a long-range missile's reach and threat imposes demanding requirements on a drone.