Anti drone system cost analysis: Understanding lifecycle value

Across the globe, armed forces are allocating unprecedented budgets to counter small drones and rightfully so. Yet the question remains: how can militaries maintain readiness against aerial threats without letting training costs spiral out of hand? Traditional anti-drone systems are effective but expensive to operate and sustain. 

Every live drone destroyed in training represents thousands of dollars lost in hardware and logistics planning, in an instance. Count that up by the times such drills take place and you have an extensive almost insurmountable cost. A necessary one at that, but yet still very expensive. But what if we presented you with a cost efficient anti drone system for the last line of defense, that allows for more trial and error, with lower cost and without losing sight on quality in training all while upholding environmental responsibility?

Discover how target-based systems can strengthen readiness while reducing both financial and environmental impact.

The true anti drone system cost extends far beyond initial purchase. Range safety, maintenance, spare parts, and operator training quickly multiply total expenditure. When measured over a full training lifecycle, these hidden costs often times outweigh the hardware itself.

Defence budgets are under constant pressure to demonstrate value for money and environmental accountability. Forces need realistic, repeatable, and measurable exercises that deliver training ROI. Not just impressive technology, ready made to be destroyed in drills.

At Nordic Clays we provide a proven, low-cost surrogate for live-UAS training. Using our TrapMaster Pro, built on advanced handheld trap-launcher technology, our clay targets replicate the unpredictable flight paths and speeds of Group 1 and 2 UAVs without the complexity or risk of costly live drone assets. Perfect as a cost efficient Anti Drone training System for the last line of defense.

A complete clay-target range setup can be deployed in minutes, powered by battery and operated safely by standard personnel. Each launch costs less than a dollar - a 1/10 of the price of a comparable live-drone training exercise.

Because the system uses recyclable materials and standard ammunition, it eliminates maintenance, certification, and storage costs tied to drone hardware. Over a typical 12-month training cycle, the cost differential can exceed 80–90 % savings per training session compared with live UAV use.

Unlike typical anti-drone systems, which require complex setup, maintenance cycles, and controlled storage, target-based systems have minimal operational overhead. When assessing anti drone training system costs, procurement officers should consider four primary lifecycle dimensions:

1. Acquisition and Setup:
   Live drone systems demand airframes, propulsion components, control units, and safety infrastructure. Target-based systems rely on simple, reusable launchers and low-cost targets, reducing capital expenditure and administrative approvals.
   
   
2. Operation and Maintenance:
   Conventional anti-UAS training involves technicians, spare parts, and scheduled calibration. In contrast, clay-target systems operate with low maintenance between training sessions, enabling faster rotation and higher training frequency.
   
   
3. Logistics and Transport:
   Traditional drone systems require controlled transport, batteries, and spare rotors, often shipped under strict regulations. Clay targets are inert, lightweight, and non-hazardous as well as transportable as standard training supplies with no special handling.
   
   
4. Sustainability and Lifecycle Management:
   Recyclable clay materials and low energy consumption significantly reduce environmental footprint and overall lifecycle waste. This directly supports defense sustainability targets while also improving training ROI.
   

These factors combine to create a consistent and verifiable cost advantage for militaries and contractors seeking to balance readiness with fiscal discipline.

Rather than replacing live drone systems entirely, clay-target training serves as a complementary layer ideal for routine repetition, reflex training, and logistics efficiency, however at a much lower cost and with far less of an environmental impact.

Modern defense procurement increasingly requires proof of environmental responsibility, and anti drone training systems are no exception. Nordic Clays’ Bio Clays Pro are specifically engineered to support that shift, combining performance reliability with ecological sustainability.

1. Biodegradable Composition
   Unlike traditional pitch-based or petroleum-bound targets, Bio Clays Pro are manufactured from natural, biodegradable compounds. Once expended on the range, they break down naturally through exposure to rain and soil bacteria, leaving no long-term residue. This eliminates the need for post-exercise cleanup or environmental remediation, significantly reducing range maintenance costs and time.
   
   
2. Reduced Material and Transport Footprint
   Because our bio clays pro are lighter and non-toxic, they can be stored and shipped without specialized containers or safety approvals. This cuts fuel consumption in logistics and lowers total emissions across the product lifecycle.
   
3. Compliance and Procurement Advantage
   Using biodegradable clays demonstrates compliance with environmental procurement criteria and aligned sustainability goals. For contracting authorities, that translates to measurable environmental reporting benefits and stronger public accountability in training infrastructure.

By replacing or supplementing a consumable portion of drone-based training with biodegradable clays, militaries can achieve both cost reduction and sustainability compliance. Our Pro bio clays therefore represent a dual-value innovation. Both lowering anti drone system cost while advancing environmental responsibility across all defence operations.

Realistic training no longer requires high expenditure or complex logistics. By integrating target-based systems, military operators and contractors can build readiness against drone threats while meeting critical financial and environmental targets.