Lippold mentions the US is using "$4 million missiles to destroy $20,000 drones" and warns, "We will exhaust inventory." The asymmetry of cost and the high burn rate of munitions in a prolonged conflict necessitates massive replenishment orders from the Department of Defense. This directly benefits the prime defense contractors manufacturing interceptors and missiles. LONG Defense Primes. Political pressure to reduce defense spending or a sudden ceasefire.