The military now uses drones far more frequently than before, and they have become an indispensable tool in modern combat. Drones are employed by the military for a number of functions, including attack, target acquisition, surveillance, and reconnaissance. However, operating these drones can be costly, and the cost varies based on a number of factors.
What is the price of operating a military drone for an hour? This question does not have an easy solution. Depending on the drone’s type, function, and the tools and personnel needed to operate it, there are different costs associated with operating a military drone. For example, operating a Predator drone, one of the most popular military drones, can cost between $1,000 and $3,500 each hour. Other drones may have substantially greater operational costs, particularly if they need specialized personnel and equipment.
The military has extra costs associated with conducting a drone program in addition to the cost of flying the drone. These expenses cover the price of buying the drone, keeping it maintained, and teaching staff how to use it. One MQ-9 Reaper drone, for instance, which is deployed by the US Air Force, can cost up to $64 million to purchase. Furthermore, maintaining the drone can be expensive, costing anywhere between $4,000 and $30,000 each hour.
Drones are now widely used in businesses other than the military. For instance, real estate professionals are now using drones to film properties from the air and use that footage to produce eye-catching movies and photographs for marketing. Real estate drone videos can be expensive or inexpensive, depending on the project’s complexity, location, and equipment needs. A real estate drone video can cost anywhere between $200 and $500, on average.
The number of drones sold in 2021 demonstrates the unprecedent rate of growth of the drone sector. The global drone market is anticipated to expand from $14 billion in 2020 to $43 billion by 2024, according to a survey by Drone Industry Insights. Additionally, the survey predicted that in 2021, more than 2.4 million drones would be sold, the bulk of them being consumer drones.
The amount of businesses joining the drone market is evidence of how fiercely competitive the sector is. A small number of significant companies, including DJI, Parrot, and Yuneec, dominate the sector. However, there are also a number of smaller businesses providing cutting-edge solutions for numerous industries.
As a result, the price of operating a military drone for an hour varies based on a number of variables, such as the type of drone, its mission, and the tools and personnel needed to operate it. The price of purchasing, maintaining, and training individuals to use the drone might also be expensive. However, the number of drones sold in 2021 shows that the drone market is expanding at an unprecedented rate. Due to the intense competition in the market, both major and minor firms might benefit.