Why did the U.S. & Allies not use cheap drones during the War in Afghanistan?

[Knajjd]

Taliban fighters would engage troops from high ground and ridge lines making direct fire weapons ineffective and close air support was limited because of rules of engagement and bad weather.

Wouldn't cheap drones like those used in the Russo-Ukraine War have been more effective? Why did it not occur to anyone to use these types of drones against the Taliban?

 

[Old Ironsides]

jews will win whatever they want
they were pulling psyop for something we will suffer later

 

[Emba]

Because less goys would die and or lose limbs that way bro

 

[AsiaCel]

Militia groups are quicker to adapt to new technologies due to how they function; they need to innovative to gain every possible advantage, and the fact that many "groups" aren't a organized army as we know; many of them operate on 'terror cells" so no need to deal with bureaucracy. ANA was rotten from within and had little to no public support whatsoever and had to follow US doctrines.

The US doctrine literally relies on having air superiority. There's no need for cheap small drones when you can bring the AC-130, Apaches and MQ-9 predators out.

But the American doctrine only works as long said country has comparable manpower and industrial capabilities, as well as many stealth aircrafts to preserve manpower.

Finally, the "AliExpress" toss drones only gained popularity as of Ukraine war to be a actual doctrine. I know various groups like FSA have used them, but they didn't used them en masse.