fubar57
General
My first thought was "Gator" clone
"All of Vlad's forces and all of Vlad's men, are out to put Humpty together again." (5 Viewers)
- Thread starter XBe02Drvr
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SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
I wonder which light planes might be good at drone dropping. Is Rosie the Rocketer available for a comeback performance?
Escuadrilla Azul
Tech Sergeant
- 1,856
- Feb 27, 2020
Maybe the Pilatus or the Super Tucano (this one with 2×FN Herstal M3P 12,7 mm internal in the wings) could be good choices.
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
I gave this some thought and I may have hurt myself.
What's the Cessna that looks like a 172 but has retractable landing gear? The Sky Wagon? Seating for gunner/observers. The LG is out of the way and only one thin strut to obscure arcs of fire. High wing won't obscure visibility as (I believe) the Cessna has a better performance envelope and will be looking down for targets. Stowage for small arms ammo AND lunch. Way cheaper than those cool COIN planes. There's probably a few available already there, or near enough.
What's the Cessna that looks like a 172 but has retractable landing gear? The Sky Wagon? Seating for gunner/observers. The LG is out of the way and only one thin strut to obscure arcs of fire. High wing won't obscure visibility as (I believe) the Cessna has a better performance envelope and will be looking down for targets. Stowage for small arms ammo AND lunch. Way cheaper than those cool COIN planes. There's probably a few available already there, or near enough.
It really depends upon which sort of drone you are looking at. Looking at the speeds of some of the common ones in use by the Russians:
- HESA Shahed 136: Speed ~185km/h
- ZALA Lancet: Speed 110km/h
- Orlan-10: Speed 150km/h
- Typical Quad rotor: 25 - 50km/
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
An AH-1 Cobra would be perfect as a drone killer.
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
I'm sticking with the Cessna. Knock out the side windows and voila, drone hunter. It's not like the drones are maneuvering yet.
special ed
2nd Lieutenant
- 5,712
- May 13, 2018
Cessna 210, often used by skydivers, has a very large right side removable door, which gives total cabin access, leaving only pilot's seat inside. Enough room for even a tripod mounted weapon, then the danger of shooting off the strut or worse.
Thumpalumpacus
Major
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
Bingo! A pilot and 3 gunner/observers. Faster than those drones. Easy peasy.
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
My money is still on the AH-1 - wicked armament, fast, highly maneuverable and looks badass.
But if we're going fixed wing, then I'd go with the AT-802U.
But if we're going fixed wing, then I'd go with the AT-802U.
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
After a quick look, this was the priciest one I could find. How much does an AH-1 or an AT-802U cost? How much ground support does each aircraft require? How specialized is the ground support required and will it require ground crew pulled from other combat aircraft to maintain? How skilled must a pilot be to qualify in each aircraft?
We're drone plinking. A retired pilot and a couple of retired reservists could carry out the mission..and with style and panache.
You guys scoffed when I said we should send M-113s to Ukraine.
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GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
An AH-1 or AT-802U can defend themselves if pressed, they can also conduct GA enemy suppression if an urgent call comes down the line from trapped ground forces.
A Cessna (or Piper or Beech) will be completely helpless if confronted by an enemy air asset (fixed or rotary) since there is no clear air supremacy over the front lines.
The logistics for the Bell would be not much different than the support for the Mil helos currently in service and the Air Tractor is powered by a P&W turboprop which is similar to several eastern European engines.
As for cost, it would be hard to summarize. The lives of the crew aboard the 172 if bounced are ine thing, but the coat of the lives of civilians or the lives of the troops on the ground demand the best that's available.
A Cessna (or Piper or Beech) will be completely helpless if confronted by an enemy air asset (fixed or rotary) since there is no clear air supremacy over the front lines.
The logistics for the Bell would be not much different than the support for the Mil helos currently in service and the Air Tractor is powered by a P&W turboprop which is similar to several eastern European engines.
As for cost, it would be hard to summarize. The lives of the crew aboard the 172 if bounced are ine thing, but the coat of the lives of civilians or the lives of the troops on the ground demand the best that's available.
SaparotRob
Unter Gemeine Geschwader Murmeltier XIII
I figured this action would occur behind the lines around Ukrainian towns and infrastructure, far from Su-35 and MiG-31 reach. I'd call "shotgun!"
In any case, any manned aircraft doing drone hunting would require a safe zone. There's a lot AAA.
In any case, any manned aircraft doing drone hunting would require a safe zone. There's a lot AAA.
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Jabberwocky
Staff Sergeant
Great write up on the artillery war and shell supply situation for both Russia and Ukraine:
www.gisreportsonline.com
How big is the ammunition gap in Ukraine? – GIS Reports
Warnings about Russia's ammunition edge have sown panic among Ukraine’s allies. But the West can do more to allocate resources where they matter.
www.gisreportsonline.com
Ukraine destroyed columns of waiting Russian troops as soon as it was allowed to strike across the border, commander says
Ukraine is now able to strike military targets in Russia using Western-supplied weapons. One commander said Ukraine had destroyed columns of troops.
www.businessinsider.com
