Technical Effectiveness Considerations on the Replacement of Missiles with Interceptor UAVs

Abstract

The large availability of low-cost, mass-produced drones has shaken the economic and production capabilities of most intermediate-range missile (IRM) systems. IRMs are capable of taking out mortars, rockets, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and missiles from 4 to 100[Formula: see text]km with a unitary cost of the “killer” unit of five figures. The preliminary design of these UAVs may benefit from existing jet models. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of these unmanned aerial vehicle interceptors (UAVIs) that can replace the IRMs with reusable small UAVs with booster rockets. This approach reduces the interception costs importantly.