Cruise missile used to find targets.

Considering the fact that the cost of fighter sized UCAVs would be relatively high ( around 40 million or so for a neuron/X-47B class, much more for large UCAVs like the UCLASS) and that the cost of stealthy fighters is quite high ( 90+ million for the F-35A at FRP ), wouldn’t it make sense to use cruise missiles to find targets, especially for an initial strike?

For instance, a JASSM type missile could be equipped with an EOTS. The EOTS would be mounted either at the front ( sniper XR type ) or would replace the warhead section. If the sensor is mounted in front, the warhead section could be eventually be replaced with more internal fuel for maximum endurance.

The missile equipped with the EOTS would send the GPS coordinates of the targets it finds to the other missiles which would carry GPS/IIR guided sub-munitions. Each ‘mule’ missile would carry around 25 smart sub-munitions. The sub-munition could be a mini-bomb possibly with a mini-wing kit and would weight around 5-10 kg with a 2kg warhead. That would be enough to destroy or damage sufficiently almost any target with a direct impact.

I think such a missile with an EOTS would cost around 2-2.5 million, which is a tiny fraction of what a UCAV or fighter would cost.

The missile could be programmed to attack its own target just before running out of fuel. Just its kinetic energy would destroy a non armored target.