Couldn't you just fit your drone with an anti-radiation missile?
ARMs generally require a supporting electronic warfare suite to be effectively employed. EW equipment draws a lot of electrical power, so you need a large aircraft with large engines. This is against current drone trends, though it is likely such drones will eventually be deployed.
Another challenge is that ARMs are designed to fight air defense systems that could potentially include equipment to jam drones. Concepts for future drones include a "drone commander" manned aircraft nearby (as opposed to an easier to jam remote operator) and onboard AI to make autonomous combat decisions.
Overall the drone likely won't be much cheaper than an F-35. But it can be sent on suicidal missions without risking a human crew.
Re:US Ends Support For Ukrainian F-16s
by dragontamer on Monday March 10, 2025 @04:56PM
(#43325985)
None of the drone people are talking about today are the Predator drone we were using 20 years ago in Afghanistan.
But yes. Large drones (like Predator) can launch missiles. But the news is about smaller drones that are being used to cheaply send small grenades over large distances.
Meanwhile, a helicopter with an anti-radiation missile can take out CRAM, let alone a stealth F35. F35 (and F16) are the next step after helicopters: you send F35 when enemy antiair is good enough to threaten helis.