Cheap drones are reshaping modern warfare — and catching the U.S. off guard - NPR

Inexpensive commercial drones are fundamentally altering battlefield tactics in ways the U.S. military did not fully anticipate, forcing a strategic reassessment of how modern conflicts are fought. Armed forces worldwide have adapted low-cost drones—often modified consumer technology—for surveillance, reconnaissance, and direct attacks, a shift that erodes traditional military advantages built on expensive, sophisticated systems. The proliferation of affordable drone technology means smaller nations and non-state actors can now conduct operations previously requiring major military infrastructure, democratizing access to aerial warfare capabilities. The Trump administration and Pentagon are grappling with how to counter this threat, which has exposed vulnerabilities in air defense systems designed for conventional aircraft rather than swarms of cheap unmanned vehicles. This represents a significant departure from decades of military doctrine centered on superior technology and equipment cost, requiring new defensive strategies and spending priorities.