To me, it makes sense that they don't want to call it a missile unless it has a rocket or other type of powerful engine. Drones are things that I expect to have the ability to return to base, and to have a propeller engine, so if any of those is designed to not return then calling them kamikaze makes sense no?

[–] Hopfgeist@feddit.de 3 points 1 year ago

I find "loitering munitions" fine, people should just get used to correct non-sensationalist terminology. Or maybe sacrificial drones, or cruise missiles, although these traditionally have no loiter phase. But Kamikaze has the very strong implication of a human sacrifice, I find equating that with a single use or expendable drone to be in poor taste. Cruise missiles have been "smart" at least since the late 1980s, so that's nothing new, either. Just because this one can fly in circles for a while does not make it more sacrificial than faster, straight-flying ones.

Just my opinion.