- Ukraine's FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile uses an open-source Ardupilot autopilot, costing far less than comparable missiles like the Tomahawk.
- The missile carries a warhead twice as heavy as a Tomahawk and can fly twice the distance, but at a fraction of the cost due to hobby-grade components.
- Open-source software like Ardupilot provides independence from foreign companies and benefits from a large community of engineers for bug fixes.
- Russia's Shahed drones also rely on commercial electronics, including Raspberry Pi processors and AI software for targeting.
- The shrinking gap between military and consumer electronics allows smaller nations and non-state actors to develop advanced weapons affordably.