So it will likely be a "use them or lose them" situation. Who knows how robust they will be and most important, how long will they remain combat operational? Unless one keeps a large inventory of drones there better be a rapid-response manufacturing capability, always at the ready, where fresh batches of drones can be deployed, muy pronto.
My point is that, after the initial wave of drones are depleted, what then? Better have other stuff to project power and defend our resources. What weapon groups will be most useful after Drone Battle 1? Methinks its good to have destroyers and scores of trained pilots. I dont think its a good idea right now to rely on near-future drones to do the projecting and defending.
You’re absolutely right that we have to use what we have now and not what may be possible in the near future.
But consider: should we invest now in a new carrier and it’s support ships or invest a pittance as much in readying an old battleship (or destroyers and arsenal ships) to deploy ten thousand drones?
The cost difference is astonishing and which will serve the future need?
Right now drones aren’t good for much but observation, but that should change soon.
I do think, and assume the services are investigating, that already drones can be cheap and effective anti-missile defenses for ships and vehicles.