Drone Wars: New tech battles cheap threats

Modern warfare is increasingly featuring killer drones, notably in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and by Iran against Gulf nations. In response to Iran's extensive missile and drone launches, defense manufacturers are innovating to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Traditional anti-drone missiles, like the Aster 30, are prohibitively expensive compared to the low cost of aggressor drones.

This cost disparity is driving the development of more affordable solutions. New guided missiles, such as Saab's Nimbrix and Frankenburg's Mark I, are significantly smaller and less expensive, with costs in the tens of thousands of dollars. These aim to provide effective short-range defense against drones.

Beyond missiles, alternative technologies like jammers, which disrupt drone communication, and directed energy weapons, such as lasers, are being developed. While jammers face limitations with fiber-optic enabled drones or non-steered drones, lasers offer a very low cost-per-shot by using electricity. However, laser technology is still largely unproven in combat and faces practical challenges with portability and environmental factors.