Using drones: principles, tactics and results (amended title)

[davidbfpo]

Thanks to a WoTR article which looks at the tactical use of drones for the USMC I don't recall a discussion on this theme. Within Opsec rules.

The WoTR article opens with:

The mass production of inexpensive commercial drones has revolutionized the entertainment industry, but the true innovators of this field are found within the ranks of the Islamic State. Weaponized quadcopters, fixed-wing drones that drop explosives, and unmanned systems that serve as aerial scouts or spotters are a real and present threat to U.S. forces.

(Later) The conclusions are that distributed infantry units should each have dedicated and near-constant overhead coverage that can meet a wide range of intelligence, communications, and fire support needs — something only the Reaper can currently accomplish.

Link:https://warontherocks.com/2017/07/la...y-exploration/

From my armchair and not wishing to treat this as a USMC-only issue my question is: Can Western armies fight 'small wars' without capable drones?