How Iran drone 'plot' in California is a 'wake-up call' for Americans

"These new asymmetric threats, where you've got low-cost, cheap, small drones, in some cases, that are able to be sent in massive waves, don't have the same signature of an intercontinental ballistic missile. Because they fly slower and at lower altitudes, such drones can appear unusual or 'funny' to radar systems built to detect high-speed weapons."

"Iran's drones, particularly the Shahed-136, are inexpensive, long-range weapons designed to crash directly into targets and explode, often launched in large waves to overwhelm air defenses. The delta-wing drones are over 11 feet long, fly roughly 115 mph, and can travel more than 1,500 miles while carrying an explosive warhead weighing 44 to 88 pounds."

"Built largely from cheap, commercially available parts, each drone costs roughly $20,000 to $50,000, making them far cheaper than the missiles often used to shoot them down. They got a head start on us in terms of producing and manufacturing low-cost long-range attack drones. They've been preparing for this for a while."

Iranian attack drones present an emerging asymmetric threat to US national security that current defense systems struggle to counter. These kamikaze drones, particularly the Shahed-136 model, are inexpensive long-range weapons costing $20,000 to $50,000 each, compared to far costlier interceptor missiles. Flying at approximately 115 mph at low altitudes while carrying 44 to 88-pound explosive payloads, they can travel over 1,500 miles and are often deployed in massive waves to overwhelm air defenses. Their slow speed and low-altitude flight profiles appear unusual to radar systems designed to detect high-speed intercontinental ballistic missiles, creating detection vulnerabilities. Iran has invested years developing a substantial arsenal of these drones, gaining significant manufacturing and production advantages over the United States.

Read at Mail Online