US Scrambles to Fix Costly War Mismatch: Cheap Drones vs. Expensive Missiles

• US forces use high-cost interceptor missiles to shoot down inexpensive drones, creating an unsustainable economic strain.
• The proliferation of cheap, mass-produced drones overwhelms traditional air-defense systems designed for high-value threats.
• This imbalance depletes missile stockpiles and raises operational costs, making prolonged conflicts difficult.
• US defense companies are developing lower-cost counter-drone systems, including micro-missiles and AI-enabled targeting.
• New systems offer shorter range and lower sophistication but are more viable for high-volume engagements due to lower cost.