Serious question for DU experts

[malaise]

A brethren of mine suggested last night that the MIC is
ffed because cheaper more efficient weapons are pricing them out of business. Is he correct?

[ProfessorGAC]

1. I'll Say No

The MIC has become the country's largest jobs program.
Over the last 7 decades, a substantial cut in defense spending would likely be economically catastrophic.
That's by design
The ultimate in "too big to fail".
So, cheaper weapons just means a higher volume at a lower unit cost, and the contractors just adjust their manufacturing focus.
I doubt cheaper weapons means anything to the MIC other than some retooling

[Irish_Dem]

2. Yes. Ukraine is changing how wars are being fought.

Ukraine is using a low-cost, high-volume, and tech-driven strategy, replacing expensive, traditional weapon systems with inexpensive drones.

[Goonch]

3. Expensive Consequences: The New Economics of War

"The democratization of drone warfare

When Ukrainian soldiers began destroying Russian tanks with inexpensive quadcopters, the economics of warfare shifted suddenly. At the same time, Iranian drones appeared on Middle Eastern battlefields ranging from Yemen to Lebanon, while non-state actors such as the Houthis and Hezbollah started their own aerial attacks. Airpower, formerly the sole domain of advanced militaries, is fast becoming available to a considerably broader spectrum of entities. The proliferation of drones, which are increasingly powered by artificial intelligence, is altering combat in ways that governments are only beginning to comprehend.

For most of the twentieth century, airpower was one of the most costly components of military strength. Fighter jets, strategic bombers, and advanced missile systems necessitated massive financial investments, highly skilled personnel, and sophisticated logistical support networks. Only great military forces had the ability to sustain these capabilities.

Drone technology is changing the equation.

Commercial drones are readily available and becoming increasingly powerful. With little changes, they can be used for monitoring, targeting, and even direct attacks. Artificial intelligence is also helping to improve these systems. Drones may use AI to recognise objects, track targets, avoid obstacles, and navigate complex settings. Analysts often refer to the marriage of AI and drones as one of the most significant technological developments in modern warfare, particularly in debates about autonomous weapons systems and emerging military technologies.

The end result is a new type of aerial capability that is less expensive, more adaptable, and much more accessible than traditional airpower.".........
https://www.thecipherbrief.com/cheap-drones-expensive-consequences

[Scrivener7]

4. I never thought of that, but it makes sense.

[Norrrm]

5. As long as there are lobbyists to make political 'donations' and opportunists in position like the Trump boys

now in the drone business, there will be a MIC.

[OC375]

6. Unlikely

Just means we’ll build enough drones to block out the sun, if they’re that cheap and easy. Tesla probably gets the contract for battery and GPS. Prepare for drone safety legislation and registration at some point once the war-tech and AI filters down to citizens - might start robbing banks with armed drones!

[Callie1979]

7. No. Because a way to defeat the "cheaper" weapons needs to be found

And that will require a lot of spending as well.
Figuring out how to stop a wave of the "cheap" drones before they get to a target isnt going to be cheap anytime soon
Also, you cant control real estate from the air or Iran would already be free of the Mullahs & UKR would be under Russian control
Controlling the land is expensive too

[edhopper]

8. As long as we give our military

a trillion dollar budget, the MIC will be doing fine.

[Orrex]

9. Good question. Since I'm a self-appointed expert on everything, here's my thought:

Since the purpose of the MIC is to generate wealth for the super-wealthy, I'd say that it's doing just fine regardless of Iran or similar asymmetrical conflicts.

Money will keep flowing into their pockets, faster and faster without end. Even if defense spending swells to 95% of the overall budget, our well-paid legislators will continue to ensure that the right people get paid.