I don't use 3s LiPos so I wouldn't expect the military to in a weapons system. The self-guided cluster bombs are still mostly dumb weapons at the end of the day. Multi-rotors allow for much more precise targeting, especially in close quarters urban fighting which is common today. In terms of delivery, there are many options, including delivery just like the cluster bombs. They are very flexible in that regard. From a deployment and final "mile" perspective, my hex as an example has up to an eight to one power to weight ratio with a 4s and the battery will last up to 30 minutes if I don't mind destroying the battery. Most of us that fly between the 5-10 minute mark do so to keep our batteries from going much under 80% to extend their total lifetime to avoid blowing $32 every flight.
Honestly, for just about every modern warfare scenario the US gets engaged in I have a tough time not envisioning a multi-rotor being the soldier of choice when it comes to fighting. It's also interesting to consider that if you are a nation who's thinking about entering the military game to fight terrorism, this is the way to go. It's fairly inexpensive and as a bonus would be highly demoralizing to your enemy.
Oh you don't use 3S you use 4S, I see. ;) Seriously though, I don't know, I see multirotors as being a reconnaissance tool if anything, modern missiles are pretty much mini jet planes, and in my mind they'd beat a rotorcraft every time for stuff like ground attack.
And nothing is inexpensive when its for military use, some of the drones they currently use are basically foamie RC planes with some smart features, and the unit cost is still well into tens of thousands of dollars[0]!
Also, the reason I mentioned delivery is because you said "Why spend billions on the F-35" - evidently the multirotor idea requires a solid aerial platform that keeps the pilot safe just as much as the guided bombs currently do. Although in the future I could imagine this being done from larger drones similar to the Predator/Reaper.
Even without purpose built weapons attached, a 400g UAV with 3200g max thrust potential can do some serious damage at top speed! Multirotors are fun, but "flying lawnmower" is not an uncharitable description!
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> Honestly, for just about every modern warfare scenario the US gets engaged in I have a tough time not envisioning a multi-rotor being the soldier of choice when it comes to fighting.
I'm sorry but you're just kinda off the deep end here. Multicopters are great and all as an aid, but they are not a replacement. There is _no_ way they can do the vast majority of missions people do. You can't talk with locals build relationships to gather intelligence with copters, but you can with a couple soldiers walking on patrol. There 1000's of other examples.
>There is _no_ way they can do the vast majority of missions people do. You can't talk with locals build relationships to gather intelligence with copters, but you can with a couple soldiers walking on patrol. There 1000's of other examples.
You are right, predator drones are so much better at these things than hexacopters could ever be!
Honestly, for just about every modern warfare scenario the US gets engaged in I have a tough time not envisioning a multi-rotor being the soldier of choice when it comes to fighting. It's also interesting to consider that if you are a nation who's thinking about entering the military game to fight terrorism, this is the way to go. It's fairly inexpensive and as a bonus would be highly demoralizing to your enemy.