There is also the problem that the military tends to go for the best. In some cases that's a good idea (the cost of getting that laser-guided bomb to the release point is well above the cost of the bomb), but when dealing with unmanned units the zerg approach is very often the winner.

Look at Iron Dome. By comparison to other modern SAMs it's abysmal. But that's by design, Israel wasn't looking for a good SAM. They were looking for the cheapest SAM that could hit a sitting duck. But that's what it's facing--ballistic inbounds that have no countermeasures and no ability to evade.

> You and I could build a similarly functioning device in 6 months with a small team. They're not that smart/advanced, imo.

If you can do what they do in 6 months, why don't you do it? You would get rich easily.

I worked in the drone industry. Everybody thinks everything is easy to do. Spoiler: it isn't.

Because it's practically illegal to do anything of the sort with drones now, let alone strap explosives to one.

For example in the UK flying a drone requires registration.

Though I suppose I could make like most Brits seem to and bend the rules a little. The ailing police force certainly weren't around to help me when I needed it so I doubt they'd be interested in me fucking about with a drone in a field (sans pyrotechnics of course, I'm not stupid).

It's easy to get licenced to fly drones. Sure, there are rules, but if as you claim you can build a business that will make you rich in 6 months, those rules are not an obstacle at all.

Now one could ask: if you don't manage to pass that point, could it be that you underestimated the complexity of building such a business? :-)

I was under the impression that while there is a lot of grift, a lot of that was supply chain cost as well. You or I could build one but it would all be sourced in China without vetted supply chain parts or firmware. These Ukraine drones are all off the shelf parts and running who knows what firmware everywhere.

I suppose that's true but not necessarily. Most of the control hardware would likely come from Taiwan. Structural components can be machined locally, brushless motors or whatever other mechanism can also be machined locally. Sensors etc are available from Japan/Taiwan as well. But tbf I think it would be possible to source reliable Chinese components from reputable companies as well - try do b2b already and they wouldn't get the sales if the product didn't work. Make purchases through a variety of disposable paper companies and the factories would have no idea that it's for defense.

Software for loitering etc would be so easy nowadays too. Hell I can tell a pi zero to track GPS + multiple cameras + loiter/engage target on whatever signatures are available from available sensors.

I say this while eyeing up the Carvera. I want to justify it so badly. Perhaps the Air...not for aforementioned purposes of course, unless some defense contractor wants to pay me ahaha.

Considerable cost savings can be achieved when both belligerents are using the same parts from the same production line.

China in the role of Milo Minderbender.

China is partially blocking export of drone parts. More so for Ukraine, so their drones have 50%+ of domestic parts. Custom firmware, even with auto aim for the last 10m where jamming can hit the signal.