Drones, the Air Littoral, and the Looming Irrelevance of the USAF

[HavokFour]

It was only a matter of time. Like Ukraine's long range drones, they too already had the ability to carry unguided bombs. The job of the pilots flying Ukraine's Yak-52s just got significantly more dangerous.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1995492744803057747

 

[Kirkhill]

Apaches as rapidly redeployable LAA-CUAS batteries.
As the original launch vehicles for the 30mm x 113 cannons popular on MSHORAD and EOS Slinger systems among others as well as launching the 70mm APKWS used effectively on the VAMPIRE system and F16s to take down drones over Ukraine and the Red Sea.

U.S. Army AH-64E Apache's Counter-Drone Capability Rapidly Matures

Apaches scored 13 drone kills out of 14 engagements during Operation Flyswatter, reflecting the AH-64’s evolving counter-UAS capabilities. Apaches scored 13 drone kills out of 14 engagements during Operation Flyswatter, reflecting the AH-64’s evolving counter-UAS capabilities.

www.twz.com

 

[HavokFour]

Ukraine's Sting interceptor is now fast enough to catch the jet powered Geran-3, about ~343km/h.

Ukrainians say their cheap interceptor drones are catching Russia's new turbojet Shaheds

Russia's turbojet Geran-3s are much faster than the usual Shaheds, but Ukrainians that their cheap interceptors took several down for the first time.

www.businessinsider.com

Archive

From the non-profit that developed them.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1995417826753180061

 

[Kirkhill]

F16s with APKWS II 70mm Hydras and older AIM-9M Sidewinders = 108 splashed drones in 8 months

108 Enemy Aircraft Downed, $25M Saved How F-16s Beat Houthis With Obsolete Missiles, APKWS | Defense Express

In just eight months of deployment, F-16 squadron under Lt. Col. William Parks shot down 108 aerial targets

en.defence-ua.com

 

[Kirkhill]

Speaks for itself.

France is two years from fielding drone swarms in its armed forces

“Obviously, in a dehumanized combat, there’s a sort of coldness behind it all that somewhat gives you goosebumps," a French Army official predicted.

www.defensenews.com

 

[Kirkhill]

Project Talon? By Northrop? Long and slender design?

Northrop's T-38 Talon trainer, the F-5 by any other name, is a long and slender design?
Is this a simplified F-5?

Project Talon: Northrop unveils new loyal wingman drone design - Breaking Defense

Project Talon is Northrop Grumman's newly revealed loyal wingman drones, designed to fly along fighter jets into combat.

breakingdefense.com

 

[PPCLI Guy]

It was only a matter of time. Like Ukraine's long range drones, they too already had the ability to carry unguided bombs. The job of the pilots flying Ukraine's Yak-52s just got significantly more dangerous.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1995492744803057747

This becoming standard.

The autonomous dogfighting drone that this Canadian company is developing can mount a shotgun, flechette, or missile effector, along with the expected jamming etc capability

Sentinel R&D

www.sentinelrd.com